LCRA, City of Goldthwaite award $8,736 grant for new HVAC system at Legion Hall
Upgrade will replace 26-year-old system and support year-round community use
May 13, 2026
Key Takeaways
- LCRA and the City of Goldthwaite award an $8,736 grant to American Legion Harry F. Edmondson Post 289 to replace its aging heating and air conditioning system.
- The upgraded system will improve comfort and reliability for the many local groups and events hosted at the facility.
- 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 City of Goldthwaite representatives present an $8,736 grant to the American Legion Harry F. Edmondson Post 289 for a new HVAC system. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Grants program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Carl L. Mattax, legion member; John Braun, legion commander; Carol Freeman, LCRA Board member; James Miller, legion vice commander; Robert E. “Rob” Lindsey III, Goldthwaite city manager; Phil Duren, legion finance officer; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA Board member; Johnnie Martinez, legion member; Martha Leigh M. Whitten, LCRA Board vice chair; Jett Johnson, Mills County judge; Michael Hartgrove and Robert Jay, legion members; and John Palacio, LCRA Regional Affairs representative.
GOLDTHWAITE, Texas – American Legion Harry F. Edmondson Post 289 soon will install a new energy-efficient heating and air conditioning system at its community hall, thanks to an $8,736 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of Goldthwaite.
The LCRA Community Grant, along with $2,913 in matching funds from the post, will replace the facility’s current HVAC system, which was installed in 2000 and is nearing the end of its typical lifespan. The new system will provide more reliable temperature control and improved energy efficiency for the building, which serves as a key gathering space in Goldthwaite.
“Our hall is not just a resource for Post 289,” Post Commander John Braun said. “It plays an important role in bringing the Goldthwaite community together. From civic meetings and exercise classes to family reunions, weddings and longtime traditions like our annual fish fry and community garage sale, this space supports a wide range of activities. Upgrading our HVAC system helps ensure we can continue providing a comfortable, reliable place for everyone who walks through our doors.”
Braun said the post appreciates LCRA’s commitment to supporting local communities.
“Without this grant, we would have needed to rely on funds from our two annual fundraisers and event rentals to cover the cost of a new HVAC system,” Braun said. “We use those same funds to support operations and provide scholarships, so this grant allows us to continue those efforts while also making important improvements to our facility. Enhancements like this help us attract more events, and we’re already seeing that momentum with bookings extending into 2027. It also gives us peace of mind knowing we won’t have to worry about our old system failing during an important event.”
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.
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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