LCRA, Hamilton County Electric Co-op award $4,800 grant for exterior repairs to Lometa community library
Improvements will stop water leaks, help preserve historic building
June 10, 2026
Key Takeaways
- LCRA and Hamilton County Electric Co-op award a $4,800 grant to Grace Place on Main for repairs to the century-old building serving as the community library in Lometa.
- The improvements will address weather-related damage and help ensure the building remains safe and accessible for library patrons and community use.
- The grant is one of 41 being awarded through LCRA’s Community Grants program through June. LCRA will accept applications in July for the next round of grants.
LCRA and Hamilton County Electric Cooperative representatives present a $4,800 grant to the Grace Place on Main for exterior repairs to the library’s 100-year-old building. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Grants program. Pictured, from left to right, are: John Palacio, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Dusty Duncan, Hamilton County Electric Cooperative board vice president, District 5; Martha Leigh M. Whitten, LCRA Board vice chair; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter and Carol Freeman, LCRA Board members; Gail Eltgroth, library director; David Clary, Lometa police officer; and Derek Talley, Lometa mayor.
LOMETA, Texas – Grace Place on Main soon will repair the brick exterior of the 100-year-old building that houses the community library, thanks to a $4,800 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Hamilton County Electric Cooperative.
The LCRA Community Grant will help restore the building’s exterior and protect it from water damage during heavy storms, ensuring the structure remains weather-tight and continues to serve as a functional and welcoming space for library services and community activities.
Director Gail Eltgroth said the building has undergone significant interior restoration over the past year, but additional exterior brick and masonry work is needed to keep it safe and fully functional for community use.
“The exterior bricks of Grace Place on Main have withstood decades of weathering and now need new mortar to protect the building,” Eltgroth said. “During heavy rains, water can seep through the bricks, which has caused damage to books, furniture and supplies inside. In some instances, we’ve even had to cover books when rain is expected just to help protect them. The repairs are much needed.”
The site opened as a free community library in April 2025. Since then, Grace Place on Main has offered residents access to more than 2,200 books, free Wi-Fi and a community room that can be used for meetings, clubs and activities.
“Historically, Lometa has not had a dedicated public library outside of the school for residents in the surrounding rural area,” Eltgroth said. “By keeping this building safe and usable, Grace Place on Main can continue providing library and meeting space that supports the educational and social needs of the community for years to come.”
This is one of 41 grants awarded recently through LCRA Community Grants. These grants are awarded twice a year as part of LCRA’s effort to give back to communities in its wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in July. More information is available at www.lcra.org/grants.
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About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves communities across Texas by managing the lower Colorado River, generating and transmitting wholesale electric power, providing clean water supplies, operating telecommunications infrastructure, and owning parks for outdoor recreation. LCRA delivers power, water and infrastructure that support the region’s growth and quality of life. 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. Created by the Texas Legislature in 1934, LCRA receives no state appropriations.
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