LCRA accepting applications for community development project grants
In December, LCRA and PEC representatives presented a $23,908 grant to the Sandy Harbor Volunteer Fire Department. Pictured are (from left) Llano County Precinct 1 Commissioner Peter Jones, VFD board member and Secretary Stephanie Langseth, Chief Larry Smith, Treasurer Susan Gonzalez, board President Douglas Hindelang, LCRA board member Nancy Eckert Yeary, VFD volunteer Don Dudley, PEC Community Relations coordinator Caroline Porter, LCRA board members Lori Berger and Margaret Voelter, LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson, VFD volunteers Soc Gonzalez, Leon Melde, and Jim Tolles, LCRA Regional Affairs representative Susan Patten, and LCRA Chief of Staff Greg Cox.
The Lower Colorado River Authority is offering grants of up to $50,000 to nonprofits and first responder organizations for community development projects in its wholesale and water service areas.
Most grants are for $25,000 or less, but each grant cycle includes two to three awards of up to $50,000.
Applications for the latest round of Community Development Partnership Program grants are available online and must be submitted by January 31. Eligible organizations include volunteer fire departments and other emergency responders, local governments, schools, libraries, civic groups, museums, and other nonprofit organizations. The grants are not available to individuals, for-profit entities, professional associations, and nonprofits with limited group membership.
In 2019, the LCRA awarded grants to a number of Highland Lakes organizations and first responders.
In December, the Marble Falls Rodeo Association, the Sandy Harbor Volunteer Fire Department, and the Kingsland/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce received grants.
Earlier in the year, the LCRA awarded grants to the Kingsland VFD, Hoover’s Valley Fire and Emergency Services, the Cassie VFD, and the city of Burnet.
Burnet is using its grant to help fund the construction of a live-fire training tower for the fire department.
The Pedernales Electric Cooperative also contributed to some of these grants.
Overall in 2019, the LCRA gave out about $520,000 to help fund 23 projects, including new equipment and facilities for emergency services, renovations to historic properties and veterans halls, and improvements to community parks and playscapes.
To date, the LCRA and its wholesale electric customers have awarded 1,740 community grants totaling more than $45 million. When combined with the more than $225 million in matching funds, the total investment reaches close to $271 million.
Applications, eligibility requirements, and more information are available on the LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program webpage or by calling the program administrator at 800-776-5272 extension 3140.