The Lower Colorado River Authority recently awarded nearly $530,000 in Community Development Partnership Program grants for community projects within LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas.

The CDPP grants helped fund 27 projects that range from buying new equipment for first responders to improving museums and libraries to helping community centers build handicapped-accessible restrooms.

Other grants will help provide an upgraded, safer entrance drive into the fire station for Kinney County Fire Rescue; new life-saving equipment for the Matagorda Volunteer Fire Department; a new circulation desk for the Rylander Memorial Library in San Saba; and a new tourism office and public restroom for Fayette County in downtown La Grange.

“These grants support projects that make a difference in communities throughout our service area,” LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson said. “The recipients tell us time and again many of these projects wouldn’t be possible without the grants, but that’s particularly true this year, when so many nonprofits had to cancel or cut back on fundraising efforts because of the pandemic.”

Wilson noted that many of the grant recipients are volunteer firefighters and public safety organizations.

“We are so proud to help provide new gear and equipment for the first responders who dedicate their lives to helping keep all of us safe,” Wilson said.

To date, LCRA and its wholesale electric customers have awarded 1,795 community grants totaling more than $46.5 million. When combined with nearly $227 million in community-raised matching funds, the program has invested more than $273 million in local communities.

Applications for the next round of Community Development Partnership Program grants will be available at lcra.org/cdpp on Jan. 1 and are due by midnight on Jan. 31.

Among the 27 grants awarded are:

• A $20,000 grant from LCRA and the City of Bellville for electrical upgrades and new storm windows at the Austin County Jail Museum, which provides information about the historic former jail that opened in 1896.

• A $22,150 grant from LCRA and the City of Brenham to Washington County for energy-efficient LED lighting in buildings on the county fairgrounds.

• A $1,528 grant from LCRA and the City of Brenham for rolling window shades and carpet tiles to better regulate temperatures inside the Bus Depot Gallery.

“We are so proud to help provide new gear and equipment for the first responders who dedicate their lives to helping keep all of us safe.”

— LCRA GENERAL MANAGER PHIL WILSON