LCRA, Bluebonnet Co-op award $23,055 grant to McMahan Community Women’s Club

Energy-efficient upgrades will decrease operating costs, improve structural integrity of community center

Dec. 6, 2022

LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative representatives present a $23,055 grant to the McMahan Community Women’s Club for upgrades to the McMahan Community Center. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, in the front row, are: Jan Walter, club grants and publicity; Allen Reed, club president; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA Board member; and Milton Shaw, Bluebonnet director. Middle row, from left: Candyce Muellar, club secretary; Annette Wells, club treasurer; Brad Walter, club member; Barbara Shelton, Caldwell County commissioner, Precinct 2; and Jo Anna Gilland, Bluebonnet community and development services representative. Back row, from left: Ann Scot, club programs; Nora Warren, club rentals; Jessie Scot, club member; Archie Sonsel, club grounds and special projects; Tom Will, Caldwell County constable, Precinct 2; Dennis Engelke, Caldwell County grant administrator; and Rick Arnic, LCRA Regional Affairs representative.

CALDWELL COUNTY, Texas – The McMahan Community Women’s Club will replace windows, siding and an outdated HVAC system at the McMahan Community Center, thanks to a $23,055 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.

The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $5,764 in matching funds from the club, will allow the McMahan Community Women’s Club to replace a failing air conditioning and heating system and rotted wood siding at the 1920’s-era event center.

“It’s an old, wood-frame structure,” said Annette Wells, club treasurer. “The HVAC system continues to give us problems. It’s about 26 years old and we can’t even find parts for it.”

The center is the only community event space in the area and serves as the local voting precinct for about 1,300 residents who would otherwise need to drive 12-15 miles into town to cast their ballots.

“Those are the kind of things that we’re focused on trying to do,” Wells said. “Bring some of what’s in Lockhart out here and make it available to people who can’t go into town.”

The club amended its bylaws in 2021, opening membership up to men as well.

Wells said the club is focused on improving the structural integrity of the building and reducing operating costs so the building can continue to operate as a community hub for many years to come.

“This grant is a game changer because we don’t have to worry about that rotting wood, or the air conditioner breaking again, or the heating not working,” Wells said. “Those are things you don’t see, but they’re the things that make it last.”

Volunteers from Meals on Wheels rent the venue each Wednesday as they serve about 65 residents. The group has distributed nearly 32,000 meals out of the center since 2019. The sheriff’s department also puts on free community events such as self-defense classes or Stop the Bleed trainings at the center.

The center can hold up to 100 people and charges $25 an hour for gatherings such as weddings, birthday parties and anniversaries.

“This grant by far is going to have the most impact on the longevity of the building,” Wells said. “I don’t think anything has ever happened before that is going to make such a significant impact. We’re maybe good for another 90 years.”The community grant is one of 46 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.

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.

About Bluebonnet
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of the largest electric cooperatives in Texas and has been serving its members since 1939. Bluebonnet serves more than 122,000 meters and owns and maintains 12,000 miles of power lines, located across more than 3,800 square miles within 14 Central Texas counties. Bluebonnet’s service area stretches from Travis County to Washington County, and from Milam County to Gonzales County. For more information about Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, go to bluebonnet.coop and follow the co-op on Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contact
Clara Tuma
512–578–3292
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Bluebonnet: Will Holford 512-332-7955
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