LCRA awards $25,000 grant for improvements to the Luling Civic Center

New fans will help enhance comfort, energy efficiency at popular meeting site

NOV. 20, 2024

LCRA representatives present a $25,000 grant to City of Luling for upgrades to the Luling Civic Center. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Pablo Reyes, city parks superintendent; Elizabeth C. “Liz” Mundine, LCRA grants administrator; Martha C. Velasquez, city secretary; Jessica L. Tucker, deputy secretary; Derek Hall, Luling Main Street manager; CJ Watts, mayor; Buddy Pearson, public works director; Rick Arnic, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Mark Mayo, city manager; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA Board member; Christina “Ari” Arias, city grant writer; and Jackie Campbell, City Council member, Ward 1.
LULING, Texas – The City of Luling soon will remove outdated heating equipment and install new fans in the Luling Civic Center, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority. The updates will improve ventilation and temperature control, helping provide a more comfortable and energy-efficient environment for the many people who use the facility.

The LCRA Community Development Partnership Program grant to the City of Luling, combined with a matching contribution of $20,409 from the city, will provide essential upgrades to the civic center. The center is a versatile space that host events such as fundraisers, arts programs and recreational activities, as well as serving as a local polling site.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Lower Colorado River Authority for their generous support,” said Luling City Manager Mark Mayo. “This grant will allow us to install large fans in the Luling Civic Center, significantly improving air circulation during community events. The addition of these fans will enhance the comfort of attendees, making the Civic Center a more welcoming and enjoyable space for gatherings, celebrations and important events.”

Mayo went on to acknowledge the collaborative effort between the City of Luling and LCRA that made the project possible and the important local input that drove the initiative.

“We are thankful for our City of Luling Mayor, CJ Watts, whose dedication to community development and improvement has been instrumental in bringing these initiatives to life,” Mayo said. “Also, a big thank you to all of those who supported this project by writing a letter of support and voiced their encouragement throughout the process. This grant helps ensure that we can continue to serve our community in a way that fosters connection and well-being. Thank you LCRA for making this impact possible.”

The upgrades will help provide a more pleasant atmosphere for attendees, improve energy efficiency and minimize environmental impact. By enhancing ventilation and temperature control, the civic center will be able to attract more events, organizations and businesses, promoting year-round use and ensuring the facility remains a cornerstone of Luling.

The community grant is one of 37 grants awarded recently through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund eligible capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. The City of Luling is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program.

Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in January 2025. 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 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.

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Clara Tuma, Public Information Officer
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