A foundation supported by money North Carolina receives from the landmark tobacco settlement has pumped about $366 million into helping the state's poorer areas.

A decade after it was brought to life, the Golden LEAF Foundation is still funding an array of programs, from expanding rural broadband service to encouraging sweet potato markets.

It's increasingly targeted corporations and jobs to areas outside the state's big cities. This year, the Rocky Mount-based foundation broke open its vault by committing $100 million to build an aircraft parts plant in Kinston, where about 1,000 people will work.

Golden LEAF has received at least $707 million from cigarette companies since the 1998 settlement. It has awarded 733 grants
worth $366 million since its inception.