AUSTIN, Texas – The Lower Colorado River Authority and its wholesale electric customers recently awarded $519,418 in grants for community projects in the LCRA wholesale electric and water service areas.
The Community Development Partnership Program grants helped fund 23 projects, ranging from building new bays for the Carmine and Sandy Harbor fire stations to renovations at the historic Fritz Zedler House in Luling and American Legion posts in Shelby and Comfort. Other grants will enhance public safety by providing new emergency radios in Tarpley and Utopia, a new restroom for emergency responders in Marble Falls and a rescue boat in Colorado County.
“These grants help strengthen communities,’’ said Phil Wilson, LCRA general manager. “Each project here adds to the well-being of a community, whether it’s by boosting economic development and quality of life or providing additional support for public safety and first responders. Many of these projects could not have been completed without the grants, and we’re pleased to be able to support communities through this grant program.”
Overall, LCRA and its wholesale electric customers have awarded 1,740 community grants totaling more than $45 million through the Community Development Partnership Program. When combined with more than $225 million in community-raised matching funds, the program has invested almost $271 million in local communities.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted Jan. 1-31, 2020, 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 23 recent grants awarded through the program are:
- BRADY: A $4,400 grant from LCRA and the City of Brady to replace a portion of the heating and cooling system at the Heart of Texas Historical Museum.
- BURTON: A $21,250 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative to help upgrade the heating and cooling system and improve handicapped-accessible parking at the American Legion Martin Louis Post 242.
- CARMINE: A $25,000 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet to help build four additional service bays for trucks and equipment at the Carmine Volunteer Fire Department.
- CARMINE: A $25,000 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet to help the Carmine Economic Development Corporation pay for the construction of handicapped-accessible pathways and a new basketball court at Muehlbrad-Albers City Park.
- COLUMBUS: A $21,313 grant from LCRA for a swift-water/high-water rescue boat for Colorado County Emergency Medical Services.
- COMFORT: A $23,000 grant from LCRA and Bandera Electric Cooperative to replace flooring and the roof at the Veterans of Foreign Wars – Eichholz-Strube Post 8569.
- GARWOOD: A $19,532 grant from LCRA for a new hydraulic stretcher for the Garwood Volunteer Fire Department.
- GOLDTHWAITE: A $25,000 grant from LCRA and the City of Goldthwaite for construction of an outdoor classroom at the Texas Botanical Gardens and Native American Interpretive Center.
- KEMPNER: A $24,200 grant from LCRA and Pedernales Electric Cooperative for new battery-operated extrication tools for the Kempner Volunteer Fire Department.
- KINGSLAND: A $25,000 grant from LCRA for construction of new public restrooms at the Kingsland Community Park, which is managed by the Kingsland LBJ Chamber of Commerce. The park was damaged by flooding in October 2018.
- LA GRANGE: A $23,925 grant from LCRA and the City of La Grange to the La Grange Noon Lions Club for a canopy over playground equipment at the Fayette Public Library.
- LULING: A $25,000 grant from LCRA for renovations at the historic Fritz Zedler House, a popular venue for community meetings and special events.
- MARBLE FALLS: A $50,000 grant from LCRA and PEC for new restrooms, including showers and air conditioning, to accommodate first responders using the Marble Falls rodeo grounds as a staging area during emergencies. The Marble Falls Rodeo Association will make the new restrooms available to both visitors and first responders.
- MOULTON: A $50,000 grant from LCRA and the City of Moulton for infrastructure work at the Mouton Fire Department’s new station, which is expected to open in 2020.
- OAKALLA: A $19,882 grant from LCRA and PEC to help build the Oakalla Volunteer Fire Department a new substation in Watson.
- PLACID: A $2,836 grant from LCRA for new vehicle stabilization tools for the Placid Community Volunteer Fire Department.
- SAN SABA: A $25,000 grant from LCRA and the City of San Saba for a new brush truck for the San Saba Volunteer Fire Department.
- SANDY HARBOR: A $23,908 grant from LCRA and PEC for construction of a new bay at the Sandy Harbor Volunteer Fire Department.
- SHELBY: A $19,095 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet to provide energy-efficient doors and new windows at the American Legion Post 602 Shelby.
- SMITHVILLE: A $14,765 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet for a new off-road utility vehicle for the Heart of the Pines Volunteer Fire Department.
- TARPLEY: A $15,676 grant from LCRA and Bandera for five new radios for the Tarpley Volunteer Fire Department.
- UTOPIA: A $10,636 grant from LCRA and Bandera for three new radios for the Utopia Volunteer Emergency Medical Services.
- WAELDER: A $25,000 grant from LCRA for a new playscape at Waelder City Park.
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. 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 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 fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations. For more information, visit
lcra.org.
Media Contact
Clara Tuma
512–578–3292
clara.tuma@lcra.org
Source: LCRA Business News
