LCRA and wholesale electric customers award nearly $475,000 in grants to local communities

​​​​​Local Communities

The Lower Colorado River Authority and its wholesale electric customers recently awarded nearly $475,000 in grants for community projects in the LCRA wholesale electric and water service areas. In this photo, the Bertram Volunteer Fire Department receives almost $45,000 for renovations to the fire station roof and new defibrillators. Applications will be accepted July 1-31 for the next round of grant awards.

 The Lower Colorado River Authority and its wholesale electric customers recently awarded $474,881 in grants for community projects in the LCRA wholesale electric and water service areas.

The Community Development Partnership Program grants recently helped fund 22 projects, ranging from renovating a La Grange meeting hall damaged by Hurricane Harvey to repairing the roof on the Bertram fire station to upgrading a portion of the downtown electric grid in Luling. The grants also supplied much-needed emergency gear to firefighters and other first responders in a number of communities.

“We are proud to help support the communities we serve with these community development grants,” said Phil Wilson, LCRA general manager. “Many of these projects would not be possible without the grants from LCRA, and it is an honor to support these projects and give back to the communities we serve.”

LCRA and its wholesale electric customers have awarded 1,672 community grants totaling more than $44 million. When combined with over $223 million in community-raised matching funds, the program has invested almost $268 million in local communities.

Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted July 1-31. More information is available at
lcra.org/cdpp.

The 22 grants awarded in the most recent grant cycle are:

  • AUSTIN COUNTY — LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative awarded a $25,000 grant to the New Ulm Volunteer Fire Department for a helipad.
  • BANDERA — LCRA and Bandera Electric Cooperative awarded a $25,000 grant to the Bandera Natural History Museum for a rainwater catchment system and water feature.
  • BANDERA COUNTY — LCRA and Bandera Electric Cooperative awarded a $16,512 grant to the Vanderpool Volunteer Fire Department for a new off-road rescue vehicle.
  • BERTRAM — LCRA and Pedernales Electric Cooperative awarded a $44,950 grant to the Bertram Volunteer Fire Department for automated defibrillators and to repair the fire station roof.
  • BLANCO — LCRA and Pedernales Electric Cooperative awarded a $25,000 grant to the Old Blanco County Courthouse Preservation Society to rebuild two stairways in the historic Old Blanco County Courthouse.
  • BRADY — LCRA and the City of Brady awarded a $19,996 grant to the Brady Volunteer Fire Department for structure fire gear, and extra boots and helmets.
  • BRENHAM — LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative awarded a $25,000 grant to the Salem Volunteer Fire Department to construct a stand-alone addition to house firetrucks and equipment.
  • BRENHAM — LCRA and the City of Brenham awarded a $24,500 grant to the American Legion Buddy Wright Post 48 to replace HVAC systems and upgrade electrical components at the American Legion hall.
  • CALDWELL COUNTY — LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative awarded a $19,518 grant to the Maxwell Social Club for a new air conditioner, new gutters and a fresh coat of exterior paint.
  • CUERO — LCRA awarded a $6,636 grant to the Cuero Fire Department for new personal fire protection gear.
  • FLATONIA — LCRA and the City of Flatonia awarded a $3,540 grant to American Legion Jerome Michal Post 94 for energy-efficient windows.
  • GOLDTHWAITE — LCRA and the City of Goldthwaite awarded a $12,620 grant to the Goldthwaite Volunteer Fire Department for wildland/rescue gear.
  • HEMPSTEAD — LCRA and the City of Hempstead awarded a $25,000 grant to Waller County Veterans Memorial Inc. for a monument honoring military veterans.
  • LA GRANGE — LCRA and the City of La Grange awarded a $22,360 grant to the Knights of Columbus Community Center Restoration Foundation to repair damage from Hurricane Harvey at the K. of C. Hall in La Grange.
  • LULING — LCRA and the City of Luling awarded a $50,000 grant to the Luling Watermelon Thump Association to renovate a portion of the electric grid in downtown Luling to increase safety and reliability for the numerous events held there.
  • MARBLE FALLS — LCRA and Pedernales Electric Cooperative awarded a $22,815 grant to Marble Falls Fire Rescue to purchase emergency equipment to free people trapped in confined spaces and for use in water rescues.
  • MATAGORDA COUNTY — LCRA awarded a $19,500 grant to the Matagorda Volunteer Fire Department for self-contained breathing apparatus systems.
  • MENARD — LCRA awarded a $3,000 grant to the Menard Volunteer Fire Department to purchase personal protective equipment. 
  • SMITHVILLE — LCRA and the City of Smithville awarded a $19,526 grant to the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department for a swift-water rescue boat, motor and trailer.
  • SOMERVILLE — LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative awarded a $19,856 grant to the Birch Creek Area Volunteer Fire Department for a helipad.
  • WASHINGTON COUNTY — LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative awarded a $19,990 grant to the Meyersville Volunteer Fire Department of Washington County for firefighter air tanks.
  • WASHINGTON COUNTY — LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative awarded a $24,562 grant to the Washington County Firefighters Association for handheld radios for the volunteer fire departments and dispatch center in Washington County.

LCRA and its wholesale electric customers award CDPP grants for projects related to community planning, education, employment, health care, public safety, recreation and volunteer fire departments. Eligible organizations include volunteer fire departments, emergency responders, local governments, schools, libraries, civic groups, museums and other nonprofit organizations. For-profit entities, individuals, professional associations and nonprofits with limited group memberships are not eligible for CDPP grants.

About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering access to nature at more than 40 parks, recreation areas and river access sites along the Texas Colorado River, from the Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to enhancing the lives of Texans through water stewardship, energy and community services. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934. For more information, visit
lcra.org

Media Contact
Clara Tuma
512–578–3292
clara.tuma@lcra.org


Source: LCRA Business News

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