LCRA awards more than $815,000 in community grants

Projects will aid first responders, civic groups and other nonprofits across LCRA’s service area

June 7, 2022

AUSTIN, Texas – The Lower Colorado River Authority recently awarded more than $815,000 in Community Development Partnership Program grants for a wide range of projects across LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The grants will help fund 36 community projects, including new firetrucks in Lee and Tom Green counties, a new trailhead and outdoor classroom in Early, renovations to a decades-old kitchenette at the Columbus public library and a new splash pad at Lavaca Swimming Pool in Hallettsville. LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson said the grants help support important community projects that otherwise may not be funded. “These projects contribute to the health, safety and development of local communities,” Wilson said. “Whether it’s providing new rescue equipment for first responders or replacing an outdated playscape at a community park, these projects help improve lives and support communities across the LCRA service territory.’’ Fifteen projects will support first responders by providing personal protective equipment, emergency vehicles and additional critical resources such as rescue tools and transport ventilators. “First responders need protective gear, reliable equipment and fully functional vehicles ready to go at a moment’s notice, and LCRA is proud to assist,” Wilson said. “These grants will help first responders act quickly and operate safely as they work to protect their communities.” To date, LCRA has awarded 1,888 community grants totaling more than $48.7 million. When combined with almost $230 million in community-raised matching funds, the program has invested more than $278 million in local communities.The 36 grants awarded in the most recent grant cycle are:

  • BASTROP: A $15,900 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative to Bastrop County First Responders for two new heart monitors to improve emergency care for cardiac patients.
  • BASTROP: A $19,429 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative to Heart of the Pines Volunteer Fire Department for a dozen sets of new personal protective equipment and a fire-rescue saw.
  • BLANCO: A $25,000 grant from LCRA and Pedernales Electric Cooperative to the First Baptist Church of Blanco for new playground equipment at a centrally located community park.
  • BOLING: A $20,000 grant from LCRA to the Boling District Improvement Association for improvements to the Boling Community Center in Wharton County.
  • BRADY: A $25,000 grant from LCRA and the City of Brady for new playground equipment for the Brady Independent School District.
  • BRADY: A $4,762 grant from LCRA and the City of Brady for a new ice machine for the McCulloch County Resource Center, where the Salvation Army provides food and drinks to members of the public and to first responders during emergencies.
  • BRENHAM: A $24,720 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative to the Gay-Mound-Cedar Hill Volunteer Fire Department, located in Washington County, for several new self-contained breathing apparatuses.
  • BROWNWOOD: A $12,619 grant from LCRA to the Brownwood Fire Department for a set of specialized rescue jacks.
  • CLYDE: A $25,000 grant from LCRA to Citizens Emergency Medical Service, a nonprofit ambulance service, for a pair of transport ventilators.
  • COLEMAN: A $20,878 grant from LCRA to the Coleman County Youth Activity Center for upgrades to the HVAC system and energy-efficient lighting at the Bill Franklin Community Center.
  • COLUMBUS: A $24,168 grant from LCRA to the Nesbitt Memorial Library Foundation for renovations to a kitchenette in a much-used community room at the public library.
  • COMFORT: A $24,993 grant from LCRA and Bandera Electric Cooperative to Comfort Youth Baseball for new energy-efficient lighting at playing fields and a public playground in Kerr County.
  • CROSS PLAINS: A $20,000 grant from LCRA to the City of Cross Plains for new playground equipment and additional park amenities at the Cross Plains Community Center.
  • CUERO: An $18,768 grant from LCRA and the City of Cuero for two new self-contained breathing apparatuses for the Cuero Volunteer Fire Department.
  • DALE: A $16,476 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative to the Dale Volunteer Fire Department in Caldwell County for new battery-operated rescue tools.
  • EARLY: A $50,000 grant from LCRA to the City of Early for construction of a trailhead with lighting, a walkway, educational signage and an outdoor classroom in the new Early Town Center Park and Pond recreation area.
  • GARWOOD: A $24,871 grant from LCRA to the Garwood Volunteer Fire Department in Colorado County for a new cardiac defibrillator.
  • GIDDINGS: An $11,349 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative to Lee County Amateur Radio Emergency Services for new radio communications equipment.
  • GOLIAD: A $4,935 grant from LCRA to the Ander-Weser Volunteer Fire Department in Goliad County for new personal protective gear and additional emergency equipment.
  • GRANITE SHOALS: A $25,000 grant from LCRA and Pedernales Electric Cooperative to the City of Granite Shoals to remodel the public restrooms at Bluebriar Park, including adding a shower and a drinking fountain.
  • HALLETTSVILLE: A $25,000 grant from LCRA and the City of Hallettsville for a splash pad at Lavaca Swimming Pool.
  • HARPER: A $19,000 grant from LCRA to the Harper Community Park Association for construction of an events office and announcer stand as part of its planned new multipurpose arena in Gillespie County.
  • JONESTOWN: A $25,000 grant from LCRA and Pedernales Electric Cooperative to the Cox Springs School Restoration Society for extensive repairs to a historic building that once served as a one-room schoolhouse.
  • LA GRANGE: A $12,000 grant from LCRA and the City of La Grange to Friends of the La Grange Railroad Depot to repaint and make minor exterior repairs to the 125-year-old depot building, which now serves as a railroad museum.
  • LEXINGTON: A $50,000 grant from LCRA and the City of Lexington for a modified fire engine for Lexington Volunteer Fire/Rescue, which will use the vehicle to battle both structure fires and wildfires.
  • LOCKHART: A $6,649 grant from LCRA to the City of Lockhart for personal protective equipment and emergency gear for Lockhart Fire Rescue.
  • MASON: A $50,000 grant from LCRA and the City of Mason for the renovation of public restrooms adjacent to the historic Mason County Courthouse, which is being rebuilt after a fire.
  • NEW BRAUNFELS: A $14,317 grant from LCRA to the Lake Dunlap Volunteer Fire Department for new equipment, including interchangeable hoses and nozzles.
  • NEW ULM: A $25,000 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative to the St. John Lutheran Church in Austin County for a covered pavilion, new playground equipment, and wheelchair-accessible sidewalks and table areas at the church’s community park.
  • SEALY: A $10,385 grant from LCRA to the Rotary Club of Austin County for a new disc golf course at Jacqueline A. Cryan Memorial Park.
  • SHINER: A $25,000 grant from LCRA and the City of Shiner to the Gaslight Theatre for new energy-efficient lighting in the historic Shiner Opera House.
  • TOW: A $20,572 grant from LCRA to the Tow Volunteer Fire Department in Llano County for a new rainwater collection system that will supply a fill station for tanker trucks and lessen the need to pull water from Lake Buchanan.
  • UTOPIA: A $9,665 grant from LCRA and Bandera Electric Cooperative for construction of a 27,000-cubic-foot metal storage building that will allow the nonprofit Keep Utopia Beautiful to expand its recycling efforts in Uvalde County.
  • VALERA: A $39,200 grant from LCRA to the Valera Volunteer Fire Department in Coleman County for construction of a new building for training and storage of a firetruck and other emergency equipment.
  • WATER VALLEY: A $50,000 grant from LCRA to the Water Valley Volunteer Fire Department in Tom Green County for a new 4,000-gallon water tanker truck.
  • YOAKUM: A $23,520 grant from LCRA and the City of Yoakum to Yoakum Little League for brighter, energy-efficient lighting for the baseball and softball fields at a city park.

CDPP grants are awarded twice a year for capital projects for volunteer fire departments, emergency responders, cities and counties, schools, libraries, civic groups, museums, and other tax-exempt non-profit organizations. Applications for the next round of grants will be available at lcra.org/cdpp on July 1 and are due by midnight on July 31.

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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