Casino foundation to help with casino taxes

Monday, Nov. 6, 2000 | 10:21 a.m.

The Caesars Riverboat Casino Foundation has begun accepting applications for grants that will total $500,000. They will be the first gifts from the foundation, which was set up to receive a share of the tax revenue from Harrison County's Glory of Rome casino, docked at Bridgeport.

A Harrison County foundation has already begun making awards there.

The grants can be for a range of public purposes ranging from community development, education, human services, cultural affairs and health and medical programs.

Among the groups looking for cash is the Providence Retirement Home, which wants to buy a new van for its handicapped residents.

"It will be quite a blessing to us," Jane Cook, the retirement home's administrator said, if she can win a $50,000 grant.

New Albany Mayor Regina Overton, who is a member of the foundation board, said grants generally will fall into two categories - smaller gifts up to $5,000 and larger ones of up to $50,000.

A grant committee made up mostly of New Albany and Floyd County residents will review the applications and make recommendations to the foundation's board, Overton said.

The grants will be awarded by Dec. 31.