Kinder Morgan donates again to Caldwell County

By Kyle Mooty

LPR Editor

Kinder Morgan has donated once again to Caldwell County this time $600,000 as part of a $1.5 million commitment that company made in March.

Kinder Morgan donated $1 million to Caldwell County last year, spreading it out to the county’s Unit Road Department as well as the sheriff’s department, and the three county school districts – Lockhart ISD, Prairie Lea, and Luling.

The recent $600,000 donation will be for the county’s road maintenance and equipment.

Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden said the funds will help purchase a Bomag Machine as well as a couple of other pieces of paving equipment.

A Bomag Machine helps rip up the damaged roads.

“Without (the Bomag Machine), we’re just patching potholes,” Haden said. “By the end of next year, we’ll have every road repaved.”

The Bomag Machine can cost between $400,000 and $500,000, Haden said, who said such a machine had already been identified by the county.

In March, Caldwell County Commissioners accepted a $1.5 million donation from the Kinder Morgan Texas Pipeline LLC.

The remainder of the $900,000 will be divvied up, including $500,000 to the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office for operational equipment and/or vehicles.

The other $400,000 will go to the school districts – Lockhart ISD ($268,234), Luling ISD ($89,433), and Prairie Lea ISD (42,333) in early fall for educational purposes.

Kinder Morgan Vice President Allen Fore presented the check to Haden at last week’s donation.