LCRA awards $25,000 grant to Cat Spring Volunteer Fire Department

New four-bay garage will provide covered storage for fire trucks, emergency equipment

May 14, 2025

LCRA representatives present a $25,000 grant to the Cat Spring Volunteer Fire Department for a new four-bay addition to its main station. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Shayne Carter, VFD deputy chief; Kate Ramzinski, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Stephen F. Cooper, LCRA Board chair; Tim Lapham, VFD fire chief and Austin County judge; Danny Brast, VFD firefighter; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA Board member; Jacob Huddleston, VFD treasurer; and Kenny Simms, VFD vice president.
AUSTIN COUNTY, Texas – The Cat Spring Volunteer Fire Department is building a four-bay addition to its main station to house emergency vehicles and equipment, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $125,000 in matching funds from the department, will support construction of the new garage space, enabling the department to store its vehicles and gear under one roof and respond more efficiently to emergencies.

“All of us at the Cat Spring Volunteer Fire Department and the neighbors we proudly serve are thankful to LCRA for this generous support,” said Christopher Chambers, president of the department. “As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, this grant helps us expand our station and strengthen our ability to serve a growing community well into the future.”

The addition will improve accessibility to gear and equipment, protect fire apparatus from the elements and free up space in the department’s secondary building, which the department plans to convert into a training facility. The upgraded layout will provide for the proper storage of hoses and other gear, giving the volunteers a place to hang and dry their equipment between calls to ensure it is ready and available for the next call.

The project also reflects the department’s long-term commitment to growth and preparedness as the local population increases and emergency service needs evolve. Once the new bays are complete and equipment is relocated, the department plans to continue its open house events to help keep residents informed of the department’s work and impact.

The Cat Spring VFD serves the city of Cat Spring and the surrounding area, including neighboring communities in Austin and Colorado counties.

The community grant is one of 45 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.

Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in July 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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