State treasurer Janet Cowell said her office operated a booth at the Mountain State Fair last week in Fletcher, N.C. and found people who may be entitled to recover nearly $70,000 in unclaimed property. The treasurer's office also plans to operate a booth at the State Fair in Raleigh in Mid October.

Esmirna Esparza of Winston-Salem, N.C. said she plans on doing some research to see if she has any unclaimed cash.

“This is great news because the economy is so bad and is kind of depressing. It could be anyone. It could be me with some forgotten fee paid in the old days,” said Esparza.

Proceeds from the fund's investments are required by law to go toward scholarships and loans for needy college students. The unclaimed property program helped more than 100,000 students last year.

Other residents like Eric Brown believe the unclaimed cash should stay in the hands of the state.

“Finders keepers, losers weepers; I mean, if they really needed that money they would have looked for it a long time ago. If the state needs to use it they should use it. I think the state is in debt right now and they should use it,” said Brown

To see if you have any unclaimed money, visit www.nccash.com