LCRA awards $25,000 grant for improvements to the Mills County Theatre

New HVAC system at downtown building will allow for year-round community events

Dec. 2, 2021

GOLDTHWAITE, Texas – The City of Goldthwaite soon will install an energy-efficient HVAC system at the Mills County Theatre building in the downtown Goldthwaite historic district, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The city also will contribute $35,000 to upgrade the historic theatre, a popular venue for community events. The city leases the building to the Mills County Theatre.

“Right now, we have to time our events depending upon what the weather conditions are,” said Goldthwaite City Manager Rob Lindsey III.

The new HVAC system will provide climate control to the building and relieve limitations currently faced during certain times of the year.

“The people of Goldthwaite have a strong sense of community spirit and can-do attitude, as evidenced by this project to rehabilitate and restore this historic theatre,” Lindsey said. “A group of very supportive and diligent volunteers have been advancing this project for years, and with LCRA’s tremendous support, we’ll be able to get this building heated, cooled and open to more groups and more people.”

The City of Goldthwaite has taken on many revitalization projects over the years as it developed downtown into a hub for cultural and economic activities in the heart of the community.

“Our focus over the last 12 years has been to lift up our downtown business district, and central to that is our Goldthwaite historic district,” Lindsey said.

The building improvements will allow for a wider array of community activities in the space year-round – from music recitals and art exhibits to weddings, conferences and town hall meetings.

“It will also provide a boost to attract tourists to our area,” Lindsey said. “More and more people are discovering Goldthwaite for its unique Hill Country charm and rural way of life.”

Mayor Mike McMahan shared his appreciation for LCRA’s investment in the community.

“We continue to benefit from our strong partnership with LCRA,” McMahan said. “They’ve been with us for a long time, and we look forward to future endeavors and opportunities together.”

The community grant is one of 32 grants awarded recently through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund 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 Goldthwaite 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. 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. For more information, visit lcra.org.

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