LCRA, Bluebonnet Electric Co-op award Round Top Library Association $13,000 community grant

​​​​​Local Communities
LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative representatives present a $13,154 grant to the Round Top Library Association for new heating and air conditioning units for the Round Top Family Library. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Laura D. Figueroa, LCRA Board member; Tammy Massengale, library supporter; Pamela Jo “PJ” Ellison, LCRA Board member; Bruce Spaulding, library board member; Deborah Kainer, library board member; Sue Spaulding, library board member; Lovetta Hicks, library board member; Barbara Smith, library director; Russell Jurk, Bluebonnet director; Julie Wantland, library president; Byron Balke, Bluebonnet director; Steve Ditsler, library board member; Mark Johnson, Bluebonnet business development team member; and Lori A. Berger, LCRA Board member.

The Round Top Family Library can replace its aging heating and air conditioning system, thanks to help from a $13,154 community development grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.

The Round Top Library Association is contributing $4,500 in matching funds to help purchase new Energy Star certified heat and air conditioning units.

“The air conditioning units are just in dire need of replacement,’’ said Barbara Smith, executive director of the Round Top Family Library. “They’re limping along.”

She said she has been told the units won’t survive another Texas summer.

The existing equipment was installed almost 20 years ago, when the historic building was converted from a Gothic-style church to a library and community-gathering center for the small, rural cities of Round Top, Carmine, Burton, Fayetteville and surrounding areas. The library provides a place for patrons, families and visitors to gather in a unique setting.

Attendance at the library spikes in the summer, when school is out and antique season is in full swing, which brings in tourists and visitors seeking Wi-Fi and reading material. On days when the air conditioning can’t keep the building cool, library programs sometimes have to be canceled or moved to a nearby church so visitors can get a respite from the heat.

“We’re so appreciative of this grant,” Smith said. “We’re a fortunate little nonprofit library working together as a team. It will mean a whole lot of happy children, and happy program participants, patrons and visitors. We feel much joy in serving others in various ways. It will be good for everyone.”

The new energy-efficient units also will save the library money on its utility bill, so more can be spent on learning and enrichment programs for the community.

The community grant is one of a number of grants recently awarded through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. The program provides economic development and community assistance grants to cities, counties, volunteer fire departments, regional development councils and other nonprofit organizations in LCRA’s wholesale electric and water service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. Bluebonnet is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and a partner in the grant program.

Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted Jan. 1-31, 2019. More information is available at
lcra.org/cdpp.

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.

About Bluebonnet
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of the largest electric cooperatives in Texas and has been serving its members since 1939. Bluebonnet serves more than 98,000 meters, and owns and maintains 11,600 miles of power lines, located across more than 3,800 square miles within 14 Central Texas counties. Bluebonnet’s service area stretches from Travis County to Washington County, and from Milam County to Gonzales County. For more information about Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, go to
bluebonnet.coop and follow the co-op on Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contacts

LCRA:

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

Bluebonnet:

Will Holford 512-332-7955
will.holford@bluebonnet.coop


Source: LCRA Business News

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