Grant Applications Sought from Southeast Tulare County

The Tulare County Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee (IGLCBC) is seeking grant applications from interested parties.

Senate Bill 621, which became law on January 1, 2004, makes grant funding available to counties, cities and special districts impacted by tribal gaming from the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund.  Gaming tribes that operated 200 or more gaming devices on or before September 1, 1999 contribute a variable portion of their net winnings into the Fund.  In Tulare County, the Tule River Tribe contributes winnings. The seven-member Tulare County Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee is responsible for selecting these grants.

In Tulare County $268,177.87 in grant funding is available. The Tule River Tribe must sponsor the grants and affirm that the proposed grant projects have a reasonable relationship to the impacts of their gaming facility. 

“We are anxious to begin this process,” said Tulare County Supervisor Mike Ennis, the IGLCBC committee member. “We are very pleased to have more than $260,000 to allocate to projects in Southeastern Tulare County and we look forward to reviewing the grant applications.”

The IGLCBC has posted the application forms, selection criteria and other explanatory materials on its website (http://co.tulare.ca.us/government/iglcbc/default.asp) Applications must be submitted to the IGLCBC no later than March 16, 2012 in order to be considered. 

“This is an opportunity for local governments and community organizations to apply for funding a variety of projects,” said Chief Joe Garcia, Tulare County Fire Department and IGLCBC member. “The committee encourages people who are interested in this funding to study the grant requirements and apply as soon as possible.”

To be considered, a grant proposal must fall into one of two categories: 60% of available funds are Nexus Grants, which must meet specific criteria.  Non-Nexus or discretionary grants representing 40% of the total funding are also available.

The IGLCBC will evaluate grant proposals and weigh their merits based on state guidelines that give priority to: law enforcement; fire services; emergency medical services; roads; public health; recreation and youth programs; waste disposal and water supplies; child care programs; mitigating environmental impacts and behavioral health.

Last year, the City of Porterville, County of Tulare, and Sierra-View District Hospital received funding to repair Reservation Road, make improvements to the police department firing range and fire department training facility, and purchase upgraded mobile medical computer carts.

Completed grant applications should be mailed to Helen Herrera, IGLCBC staff member at 2800 W. Burrel Ave, Visalia, CA 93291.  For questions about the grant process, Herrera can be reached at (559) 636-5000.