Norwich — City and Mohegan tribal officials will launch the new Sachem Fund Tuesday with a press conference to mark the tribe's first $200,000 contribution to the fund and to introduce members of a new committee that will review grant applications.

The city and tribe created the fund a year ago, each pledging to contribute $200,000 per year for five years to the account to be used for economic development, cultural programs and tourism efforts in the city of Norwich. The city placed its first $200,000 contribution in the current city budget.

Mayor Benjamin Lathrop will host a press conference with leaders of the Mohegan tribe at 4 p.m. Tuesday to accept the Mohegan tribe's first $200,000 contribution. The event, which is open to the public, will be held in Council Chambers at City Hall.

The City Council last month named members to a new board that would create an application process, review applications from various agencies and organizations and make grant recommendations to the City Council. Members of the new board are expected to attend Tuesday's press conference.

The board will consist of Lathrop, Alderman William Nash, city Director of Planning and Development Peter Davis, city Comptroller Joseph Ruffo, Norwich resident Lottie Scott and Mohegan tribal members Mark Brown and William Quidgeon Jr.

Lathrop hopes to announce the date of the board's first meeting at the press conference and will highlight guidelines for grant applications as outlined in the City Council ordinance that created the fund.

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