AUBURN , CALIF. -- Placer County's Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee (LCBC) will stop accepting applications for grants to local government agencies to mitigate the effects of tribal gaming on Friday, March 30, 2007, at 5 p.m.

The grant funds will come from the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund established by the state and based on an assessment on tribal gaming machines that were in place prior to 1999. In PlacerCounty, grant funding this year is expected to total about $320,000. The 2006 grant total was $750,000. The amount available is determined by the California State Controllers Office.

Applications and additional information are available on the Placer Countyweb site: http://www.placer.ca.gov/upload/ceo/documents/2007_grantapplication.pdf Agencies may also call the Placer County Executive Office at 530-889-4030 for additional information. The grant applications need to be delivered to the Placer County Administrative Center, County Executive Office, 175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA, 95603, by 5 p.m. on the closing date.

The LCBC, in conjunction with the United Auburn Indian Community (UAIC), will recommend to the State Controller's Office on what applications should be awarded grants.  Priorities for funding have been established by the state, and include such things as law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services, environmental impacts, youth programs, health, water supplies, waste disposal and roads. The County, its cities, and special districts within the County affected by tribal gaming are eligible to apply for grants.