AUSTIN, Texas – The Lower Colorado River Authority and its wholesale electric customers recently awarded $470,630 in grants for community projects in the LCRA wholesale electric and water service areas.
The Community Development Partnership Program grants helped fund 22 projects, ranging from building a live-fire training tower in Burnet to constructing an emergency helipad in Fayetteville to installing a lightning detector at a Schulenburg sports complex. The grants also supplied much-needed emergency equipment to firefighters and other first responders in a number of communities.
“This grant program helps strengthen communities,” said Phil Wilson, LCRA general manager. “The grants help fund projects that may otherwise not be possible. Each project contributes to the health and development of a community and improves the services available for residents and visitors. We are honored to provide these grants and play a role in supporting the economic development of communities throughout our service territory.”
Overall, LCRA and its wholesale electric customers have awarded 1,717 community grants totaling more than $45 million through the program. When combined with more than $224 million in community-raised matching funds, the program has invested almost $270 million in local communities.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted July 1-31, 2019, at
lcra.org/cdpp. Most of the grants are for $25,000 or less, but every cycle includes two or three grants of up to $50,000. Eligible organizations include volunteer fire departments, emergency responders, local governments, schools, libraries, civic groups, museums and other nonprofit organizations.
The 22 recent grants are:
- BANDERA – A $17,118 grant from LCRA and Bandera Electric Cooperative to Bandera Fire and Rescue to purchase automated external defibrillators and update the fire station with LED lighting and new paint.
- BLANCO – A $22,500 grant from LCRA and Pedernales Electric Cooperative to Gem of the Hills to renovate the community center’s restrooms and make them ADA-compliant.
- BRENHAM – An $8,000 grant from LCRA and the City of Brenham to the Washington County Chamber of Commerce for two new air-conditioning units.
- BRENHAM – A $21,025 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative to the Prairie Hill-Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department for an all-terrain vehicle, trailer and equipment.
- BROWNWOOD – A $19,904 grant from LCRA to the Carnegie Public Library Association of Brownwood for new lighting and shelving for the Brownwood Public Library.
- BURNET – A $50,000 grant from LCRA to the City of Burnet to construct a live-fire training tower.
- BURNET – A $23,296 grant from LCRA and PEC to the Hoover Valley Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services for communication radios and accessories.
- BURNET – A $19,643 grant from LCRA and PEC to the Cassie Volunteer Fire Department and EMS for a fire rescue boat.
- BURTON – A $10,000 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet to the Burton Independent School District to install a shade cover over the community playground at Burton Elementary School.
- COMFORT – A $25,000 grant from LCRA and Bandera Electric Cooperative to the Comfort Chamber of Commerce to update the Comfort Park indoor pavilion.
- FAYETTEVILLE – A $25,000 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet to the Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department for an emergency helipad.
- HALLETSVILLE – A $20,000 grant from LCRA and the City of Hallettsville to the Hallettsville Volunteer Fire Department for new bunker gear and pagers.
- HALLETSVILLE – A $25,000 grant from LCRA and Hallettsville to the Hallettsville Garden Club to renovate the community center to make the entrance ADA-accessible.
- KINGSLAND – An $18,124 grant from LCRA to the Kingsland Volunteer Fire Department to purchase battery-powered extrication tools, or Jaws of Life.
- LAMPASAS – A $24,000 grant from LCRA to the City of Lampasas Police Department to repair, clean, seal and paint the exterior of the police department building.
- McMAHAN – An $18,880 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet to the McMahan Community Women’s Club to update the McMahan Community Center with new electrical wiring, ceiling and wall paneling, and rain gutters.
- MOULTON – A $20,000 grant from LCRA and the City of Moulton to the American Legion Geier-Merrem Post 392 to replace the community hall’s windows, ceiling tiles and an exterior door.
- OAKALLA – A $4,590 grant from LCRA and PEC to the Friends of Oakalla Public Library for new windows.
- PALACIOS – A $25,000 grant from LCRA to the Palacios Community Medical Center for a new emergency generator.
- ROUND MOUNTAIN – A $20,050 grant from LCRA and PEC to the Round Mountain Volunteer Fire Department for communication radios for firetrucks.
- SCHULENBURG – A $3,500 grant from LCRA and the City of Schulenburg to the Schulenburg Little League Baseball Association for a lightning detector.
- SHINER – A $50,000 grant from LCRA and the City of Shiner to the Shiner Volunteer Fire Department for a new brush truck.
Grant recipients provided almost $400,000 in matching funds.
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 outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas 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
LCRA: Clara Tuma
512–578–3292
clara.tuma@lcra.org
Source: LCRA Business News
