Tulare County Indian Gaming Committee Seeks Grant Applicants

February 3, 2011

The Tulare County Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee (IGLCBC) is actively seeking grant applications from interested parties. More than $530,000 in grant funding is available.

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 $535,038 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 chair. “We are pleased to have over $500,000 for 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 at http://www.co.tulare.ca.us/government/iglcbc/default.asp.  Applications must be submitted to the IGLCBC no later than March 18, 2011 to be considered.

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.

Completed grant applications should be mailed to Jeff Forbes, IGLCBC staff member at 2800 W. Burrel Ave, Visalia, CA 93291.  For questions about the grant process, Forbes can be reached at (559) 636-5000 or jforbes@co.tulare.ca.us.