LCRA awards more than $1M in latest round of grants for community projects in Texas

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AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Lower Colorado River Authority has awarded more than $1 million in its latest round of community project grants.

The grants are awarded twice a year to projects across the LCRA's wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. In the latest round, $1,001,774 was awarded to 44 projects, including fire departments, libraries, chambers of commerce and community centers.

The funds are part of the agency's Community Development Partnership Program (CDPP), which to date has awarded 2,056 grants totaling more than $52 million.

Four projects were granted the maximum $50,000 each, including three volunteer fire departments in Belmont, Ledbetter and San Saba for new vehicles and tools. Another $50,000 grant went to the Schleicher County Public Library to fund the relocation to a significantly-larger space.

"LCRA is proud to contribute to these projects that add to the vitality of communities," LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson said. "Whether it’s improving a library or museum, upgrading a community space or providing a new truck or emergency equipment to a volunteer fire department, these projects support the communities we serve both in the short-term and long-term."

Volunteer fire departments, emergency responders, cities and counties, schools, libraries, civic groups, museums and other tax-exempt nonprofits are eligible to receive a grant. Applicants requesting more than $5,000 in grant funding must give matching funds of at least 20% of the total project cost.

The application period for the next round of grants closes at midnight on July 31. You can apply here.