Pittsboro, NC – The Chatham County Tobacco Research Referendum will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2021.
Kristina Britt, Chatham County Referendum Chairman, said one polling place has been established in the county. The polling site will be located at the Chatham County Extension Office, 1192 US 64 Business West, Pittsboro, NC 27312.
Britt explained that the referendum is being held to allow tobacco growers decide whether they wish to continue the self-assessment program. This program has been in place since 1991, and the law requires that a new referendum be held every six years.
A 2/3 favorable vote will mean that growers are willing to continue to assess themselves to support tobacco research and education. The assessment is 10 cents per 100 pounds of tobacco produced in North Carolina.
The funds, about $250,000 annually, are collected at buying stations by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The funds are then allocated by the Tobacco Research Commission to research and extension projects for tobacco at NC State University.
For more information on the referendum, please contact Kristina Britt at the Chatham County Extension Office at 919-542-8242 or email kristina_britt@ncsu.edu.