Committee Seeks Applicants for Indian Gaming Funds

The Tulare County Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee (IGLCBC) is seeking grant applications from interested special districts and local governments who can mitigate impacts related to the Eagle Mountain Casino.

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 (SDF).  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 SDF.  In Tulare County, the Tule River Tribe contributes winnings from the Eagle Mountain Casino. The seven-member Tulare County IGLCBC is responsible for selecting these grants.

In Tulare County, $268,177.87 in grant funding is available for distribution in Fiscal Year 2013-14. The Tule River Tribe must sponsor the grants and affirm that the proposed grant projects have a reasonable relationship to the impacts of their casino, in addition to other requirements.

The IGLCBC has posted the application forms, selection criteria and other explanatory materials on this website: 

http://www.tularecounty.ca.gov/cao/index.cfm/indian-gaming/2013-14-indian-gaming-grant/

Applications must be submitted to the IGLCBC staff no later than March 21, 2014 in order to be considered.  

There will be a voluntary grant application workshop available for applicants at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 20 at Porterville City Hall.

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.

Previous projects funded include road repairs, public safety equipment, and health education programs.

Completed grant applications should be mailed to Jed Chernabaeff or John Hess, IGLCBC staff members at 2800 W. Burrel Ave, Visalia, CA 932