LCRA awards almost $900,000 in grants for community projects
Funding will support first responders, civic centers and dozens of other projects across LCRA’s service area
DEC. 13, 2024
AUSTIN, Texas – The Lower Colorado River Authority recently awarded $890,973 in grants to support community projects across LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas.
The Community Development Partnership Program grants will help fund 37 projects, including a new emergency response/rescue boat for the Tow Volunteer Fire Department and new emergency gear for 11 other first-responder agencies; museum expansions and renovations in Columbus, Cuero and Marble Falls; new all-inclusive playground equipment in Leakey; and new fencing and other improvements at youth baseball and softball fields in Giddings and Matagorda.
Other grants will help fund upgrades to community centers and meeting spaces in Blessing, Coleman, El Campo, Giddings, La Grange, Junction, Luling and Manor.
LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson said LCRA is committed to supporting the health, safety and development of communities throughout its diverse service territory, which includes all or parts of 73 counties.
“A community is more than buildings and businesses,” Wilson said. “A community is a place where people live, work and raise their families. It’s where people build their lives. We are pleased to provide these grants to help these communities continue to thrive through projects such as improving museums, libraries and civic centers, and providing first responders much-needed equipment.”
Nearly half the recently awarded grants support first responders, including helping fund a new generator for the Blue Volunteer Fire Department in Lee County, additional life-saving equipment for the Lakeway Police Department and new air packs for the Frelsburg VFD in Colorado County.
“These grants help provide reliable equipment to first responders who do so much to protect their communities,” he said. “The first responders don’t hesitate when help is needed, and we are proud to play a role in helping provide vital equipment and gear that can help them do their jobs more safely.”
To date, LCRA has awarded 2,093 community grants totaling more than $53 million. When combined with more than $240 million in community-raised matching funds, the program has invested almost $294 million in local communities.
The 37 grants awarded in the most recent grant cycle are:
• BANGS: A $22,249 grant from LCRA to the Bangs Volunteer Fire Department for new bunker gear and an automated external defibrillator.
• BASTROP: A $24,400 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative to Bastrop County First Responders for cardiac monitors/defibrillators and medical devices used to deliver lifesaving medication to critically ill patients.
• BERGHEIM: A $7,488 grant from LCRA and Pedernales Electric Cooperative to the Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department for new firefighting helmets and boots.
• BLESSING: A $50,000 grant from LCRA to the Blessing Historical Foundation for a new roof on the historic Hotel Blessing.
• BLUE: A $17,710 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative to the Blue Volunteer Fire Department for a new emergency generator and propane fuel tank.
• BRENHAM: A $10,000 grant from LCRA and the City of Brenham to the Brenham Heritage Museum for new drainage spouts and window shades and tinting to improve energy efficiency.
• BRENHAM: A $4,896 grant from LCRA and the City of Brenham to the Brenham High School Theater Booster Club for a new lighting system in the high school’s theater, which also is used as a community meeting venue.
• COLEMAN: A $25,000 grant from LCRA to the City of Coleman Code Compliance Division for a utility trailer, mowers and other equipment to help abate property nuisances and assist property owners with maintenance.
• COLEMAN: An $24,996 grant from LCRA to the Coleman County Youth Activity Center for restroom upgrades in the Bill Franklin Center and Goree Expo and sealing of the stained flooring in the main exhibit hall.
• COLUMBUS: A $11,437 grant from LCRA to the Columbus Historical Preservation Trust for a smoke detection system and automated external defibrillators as part of the Stafford Opera House remodel.
• COMANCHE SHORES: A $13,430 grant from LCRA to the Comanche Shores Volunteer Fire Department for a covered addition to the fire station to help protect emergency vehicles.
• CUERO: A $50,000 grant from LCRA and the City of Cuero to the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum for restoration of two historic buildings to accommodate three new exhibit galleries and a multipurpose community space.
• CUERO: A $18,568 grant from LCRA and the City of Cuero to the Cuero Volunteer Fire Department for new self-contained breathing apparatus systems.
• EL CAMPO: A $24,967 grant from LCRA to the Knights of Columbus Council 2490 for a new air conditioning unit and walk-in cooler for the Knights of Columbus hall.
• FREDERICKSBURG: A $25,000 grant from LCRA to the City of Fredericksburg Volunteer Fire Department for a rainwater collection system to aid in water conservation and fire suppression.
• FRELSBURG: A $50,000 grant from LCRA to the Frelsburg Volunteer Fire Department for new self-contained breathing apparatus systems and additional compressed air cylinders for firefighters.
• GIDDINGS: A $25,000 grant from LCRA and the City of Giddings to the American Legion York Post 276 for a new roof on the American Legion hall.
• GIDDINGS: A $20,080 grant from LCRA and the City of Giddings to Lee County Little League for the addition and repair of fencing around the ball fields, and a new shed to store equipment.
• GOLDTHWAITE: A $23,498 grant from LCRA and the City of Goldthwaite to the Goldthwaite Municipal Golf Course for clubhouse renovations and repairs.
• GOLIAD COUNTY: A $4,938 grant from LCRA to the Ander-Weser Volunteer Fire Department for fire suppression equipment for electric vehicle fires.
• JUNCTION: A $20,214 grant from LCRA to the Junction Community After School Program and Family Center for energy-saving windows and doors for the group’s new facility.
• JUNCTION: A $50,000 grant from LCRA and Pedernales Electric Cooperative to Kimble County Emergency Medical Services for a refurbished ambulance.
• LA GRANGE: A $25,000 grant from LCRA and the City of La Grange to the La Fayette Masonic Lodge #34 for a new roof and HVAC for the historic lodge.
• LA GRANGE: A $23,684 grant from LCRA and the City of La Grange to the La Grange Education Support Program Foundation for restroom renovations in the 1938 Hermes Gym used by local schools and youth sports organizations.
• LAKEWAY: A $24,438 grant from LCRA and Pedernales Electric Cooperative to the City of Lakeway Police Department for additional portable automated external defibrillators, medical kits and other lifesaving equipment for patrol vehicles.
• LEAKEY: A $50,000 grant from LCRA and Bandera Electric Cooperative to the Frio Canyon Parks Association for new playground equipment for children of all abilities at Frio Canyon Park.
• LULING: A $25,000 grant from LCRA to the City of Luling for upgrades to the Luling Civic Center.
• LULING: A $25,000 grant from LCRA and the City of Luling to the Luling Foundation to install air conditioning in the demonstration barn.
• MANOR: A $25,000 grant from LCRA to the Richland Community Club to complete the foundation leveling of the Richland Hall community center.
• MARBLE FALLS: A $25,000 grant from LCRA and Pedernales Electric Cooperative to the Falls on the Colorado Museum for restoration of the Old Granite School building to preserve the local landmark and double capacity for educational programs and exhibits.
• MASON: A $12,767 grant from LCRA to the City of Mason for construction of a nine-hole disc golf course in Fort Mason City Park.
• MATAGORDA: A $15,715 grant from LCRA to the Matagorda Historical Society for new lighting, backstop netting and fencing at the Matagorda Heritage Park ball field.
• OZONA: A $23,582 grant from LCRA to the Crockett County Museum for a new marquee with an LED electronic message board.
• TOM GREEN COUNTY: A $24,974 grant from LCRA to Tom Green County for improvements at Foster Park to help protect Spring Creek.
• TOW: A $25,000 grant from LCRA to the Tow Volunteer Fire Department for an emergency response/rescue boat outfitted with lifesaving equipment.
• WASHINGTON COUNTY: A $18,123 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative to the Meyersville Volunteer Fire Department for a new emergency generator.
• WASHINGTON COUNTY: A $23,819 grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative to the Prairie Hill-Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department for new battery-operated vehicle extrication rescue tools.
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 nonprofit organizations. Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted during January at lcra.org/cdpp. Applications are due by midnight Jan. 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.
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