A state-required windfall of Indian gaming money is available in Tulare County to offset the affects of gaming operations at Eagle Mountain Casino.

The Tulare County Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee is seeking applications for $535,038 in special grant funding.

The Tule River Tribe must sponsor the grants and affirm that the proposed grant projects have a reasonable relationship to the affects of their gaming facility.

“We have more than $500,000 to allocate to projects in Southeastern Tulare County and we look forward to reviewing the grant applications,” Supervisor Mike Ennis, Dist. 5 and the committee chairman, said in a prepared release. “The committee encourages people who are interested in this funding to study the grant requirements and apply as soon as possible. We are anxious to begin this process.”

The committee 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.

“This is an opportunity for local governments and community organizations to apply for funding a variety of projects,” Ennis said.

Senate Bill 621 became law on Jan. 1, 2004, and makes grant funding available to counties, cities and special districts affected by tribal gaming from the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund. Gaming tribes that operated 200 or more gaming devices on or before Sept. 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 approving the grants.

The committee has posted the application forms, selection criteria and other explanatory materials on its Web site: http://co.tulare.ca.us/government/iglcbc/default.asp.

Applications must be submitted to the committee no later than March 13 in order to be considered.

Grant proposals must fall into one of two categories: A full 60 percent of available funds are Nexus Grants, which must meet specific criteria. Non-nexus or discretionary grants representing 40 percent of the total funding are also available.

Completed grant applications should be mailed to committee staff member at 2800 W. Burrel Ave, Visalia, CA 93291. For questions about the grant process, call committee staff member Jeff Forbes, 636-5000.

-- Contact The Recorder newsroom at 784-5000, Ext. 1043.