LCRA AWARDS GRANTS FOR NUMEROUS COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

  

The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has assisted several area cities and organizations with community improvements. 

The LCRA recently awarded tens of thousands of dollars in grants through its Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund capital improvement projects.

Among its contributions were:

• A $25,000 grant for the Shelby Volunteer Fire Department to build a helipad near Shelby American Legion Post 602.  The grant coincides with over $49,000 in matching funds from the department.
• A $20,000 grant—paired with $5,000 in matching funds from the City of Hempstead—to upgrade the restroom at Hempstead City Hall to include ADA-compliant facilities. 
• A $25,000 grant between the LCRA and City of Bellville—along with $75,000 in matching funds from Austin County—for the purchase of a mobile command center to improve operations and better protect first responders at emergency scenes.
• An $18,010 grant from the LCRA and City of Bellville to allow the Bellville Pickleball League to complete work on four new courts and add two sets of bleachers and connecting sidewalks.  The funding will combine with $5,900 in matching funds from the pickleball league.
• A $25,000 grant from the LCRA and City of La Grange—combined with $8,250 in matching funds from the La Grange Lions Foundation—to install a shade structure at the playground at Kruschel Memorial Park.
• A $10,000 grant from the LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative to allow the Winchester Area Civic Association to install two air conditioners, an energy-efficient refrigerator, an upgraded ramp and other needed improvements at Zilss Memorial Hall.  The grant pairs with $4,238 in matching funds from the association.
• A $25,000 grant from the LCRA and City of Giddings to help the Lee County Youth Center purchase benches and a shade awning for the center’s ADA-accessible playground.  The grant combines with $24,400 in matching funds from the center.

Applications for the next round of CDPP grants will be accepted in January at www.lcra.org.