LEE COUNTY, Texas – The South Lee County Volunteer Fire Department will repair and update its station’s parking lot, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $20,000 in matching funds, will replace the gravel parking lot with 8 inches of reinforced concrete and add handicapped-accessible parking in the front of the station.
“As is, the parking lot has problems with drainage and with water getting into the building when we have heavy rain,” said Ronald Zoch, secretary of South Lee County VFD. “The concrete will fix that problem and it will help us get the equipment in and out of the driveway safely. Our engine holds up to 2,000 gallons of water so the strength of the concrete is needed.”
Improvements also will provide easier access for visitors. The station is used as a community center by several groups, including 4-H, Texas Wendish Heritage Society, Lutheran Adult Fellowship and the Lee County Fire Fighters Association.
South Lee County VFD serves a population of about 1,200 in Lee County, and has mutual aid agreements with other fire departments in Lee, Bastrop and Fayette counties. The department has 38 members and is equipped with six emergency vehicles. It also has the only brush truck in the county that can perform water rescues.
“We’ve wanted to do these upgrades for about two years now and have been looking for funding to help,” Zoch said. “So, when this grant came through, we were very excited because it provides us with the security to go forward with the project.”
The community grant is one of 25 grants awarded recently through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in July. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.
About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations. For more information, visit lcra.org.
About Bluebonnet
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of the largest electric cooperatives in Texas and has been serving its members since 1939. Bluebonnet serves more than 111,000 meters and owns and maintains 12,000 miles of power lines, located across more than 3,800 square miles within 14 Central Texas counties. Bluebonnet’s service area stretches from Travis County to Washington County, and from Milam County to Gonzales County. For more information about Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, go to bluebonnet.coop and follow the co-op on Facebook and Twitter.
Media contacts:
LCRA: Clara Tuma 512-578-3292
clara.tuma@lcra.org
Bluebonnet: Will Holford 512-332-7955
will.holford@bluebonnet.coop
