183.15 Replacing production of tobacco in southern Ohio. - Ohio Statutes

183.15 Replacing production of tobacco in southern Ohio.

The southern Ohio agricultural and community development foundation shall endeavor to replace the production of tobacco in southern Ohio with the production of other agricultural products and to mitigate the adverse economic impact of reduced tobacco production in the region by preparing, implementing, and keeping current a plan to develop means for tobacco growers to grow other agricultural products voluntarily, which may include any of the following:

(A) Increasing the variety, quantity, and value of agricultural products other than tobacco that are produced in those parts of this state where tobacco has traditionally been grown;

(B) Preserving agricultural land and soils in those parts of this state where tobacco has traditionally been grown;

(C) Making strategic investments in communities that will be affected by the reduction in the demand for tobacco;

(D) Providing education and training assistance to tobacco growers to help them make the transition out of tobacco production.

Copies of the plan shall be made available to the public.

The foundation shall make grants or loans to individuals, public agencies, or privately owned companies to carry out the plan. The foundation shall also adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code regarding conflicts of interest in the making of grants or loans.

Effective Date: 06-02-2000