The Carmine Volunteer Fire Department will soon build four additional service bays for firetrucks and equipment, with the help of a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative (BEC).

(from left): LCRA Regional Affairs representative Kate Holman, LCRA Chief of Staff Greg Cox, VFD Chief Jason Carmean, Bluebonnet board member Russell Jurk, Bluebonnet community development representative Mark Johnson, Bluebonnet board member Byron Balke, VFD secretary William “Daryl” Ray, Bluebonnet board member Robert Mikeska, Bluebonnet General Manager Matt Bentke, LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson, Fayette County Judge Joe Weber, LCRA board member Lori Berger, Fayette County Commissioner Luke Sternadel, LCRA board member Margaret D. Voelter, Bluebonnet community representative Kyle Merten, State Representative Ben Leman, firefighter Robbie Tovey, Bluebonnet Community and Development Services Manager Johnny Sanders, VFD Vice President Dennis Gerland, VFD President J.C. Pohl
(courtesy LCRA)

The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $107,000 in matching contributions, will expand the department’s capabilities and help the department prepare for increased demand for services.

The fire station building is at full capacity, with all service bays occupied and a tanker truck parked under the back awning.

LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson said the LCRA is pleased to contribute to a project that will aid firefighters and the people they protect. He said this will help firefighters respond to emergencies quickly and extend the useful life of their equipment.

The Carmine Volunteer Fire Department provides emergency response services in the Carmine, Round Top, Ledbetter, and Burton areas, as well as other parts of Fayette and Washington Counties. In addition to housing the fire department, the station is used for community events such as National Night Out, Easter egg hunts, and tours for school children.

The community grant is one of a number of grants recently awarded through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which provides economic development and community assistance grants to cities, counties, volunteer fire departments, regional development councils and other nonprofit organizations in LCRA’s wholesale electric and water 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 from January 1-31, 2020. For more information, visit www.lcra.org/cdpp.