Centralia Coal Transition Board awards grant to Twin Cities Sports Commission
Centralia, Wash. (February 13, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award in the amount of $430,000.00 to the Twin Cities Sports Commission.
The Twin Cities Sports Commission has launched a two-phased approach to increase the ability to host large scale sporting events. The enhancement to the Borst Park turf fields located in Centralia by re-turfing the Complex’s infields with a longer-lasting, higher quality synthetic turf supports the efforts of the Commission. The funding from the board will be combined with additional sources of funding from various community partners.
The purpose of the Twin Cities Sports Commission is to facility and grow sports tourism in Centralia and Chehalis, Washington. The commission was formed in 2017 and supports four sporting venues within the community, the NW Sports Hub, Centralia College Campus, Recreation Park and the Borst Park Sports Complex.
The Economic & Community Development Board was formed as a result of the 2011 Agreement between TransAlta and the state of Washington to transition the Centralia Plant away from coal-fired operations with one unit retiring at the end of 2020 and the second unit at the end of 2025. The company is investing $55 million in Lewis and South Thurston Counties and the state of Washington through the Coal Transition Boards.
Overview of the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards:
Weatherization Board ($10M): established to fund energy efficiency and weatherization for the residents, employees, business, non-profit organizations and local governments within Lewis County and South Thurston County; up to $1 million shall be allocated to fund residential energy efficiency and weatherization measures for low-income and moderate-income residents of Lewis County and South Thurston County;
Economic & Community Development Board ($20M): established to fund education, retraining, economic development, and community enhancement; at least $5M shall be allocated to fund education, retraining and economic development specifically targeting the needs of workers displaced from the Centralia facility;
Energy Technology Board ($25M): established to fund energy technologies with the potential to create environmental benefits to the state of Washington.
Centralia Coal Transition Board awards grant to United Way of Lewis Count
Centralia, Wash. (February 13, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award in the amount of $419,772.00 to United Way of Lewis County. United Way of Lewis County, Discover! Children’s Museum, and the Boys & Girls Club of Lewis County are partnering to develop a strong early childhood education system. The project is on track for Phase 1 completion through a combination of various funding sources including $1 million awarded by the Centralia Coal Transition Board in 2020. This additional grant award will be combined with other funding sources to complete the physical structure of the learning center.
The United Learning Center will utilize the expertise of local, regional and national specialists, including ECEAP, Head Start, preschools and childcare professionals with a goal of serving a minimum of 80 children daily. These skilled individuals will work with children and their families to achieve a standard of kindergarten readiness.
For over 60 years, United Way of Lewis County has been steadfast in its mission to bring people and resources together to support those in need. The agency is governed by a Board of Directors composed of 18 dedicated community members representing a wide range of organizations.
The Economic & Community Development Board was formed as a result of the 2011 Agreement between TransAlta and the state of Washington to transition the Centralia Plant away from coal-fired operations with one unit retiring at the end of 2020 and the second unit at the end of 2025. The company is investing $55 million in Lewis and South Thurston Counties and the state of Washington through the Coal Transition Boards.
Overview of the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards:
Weatherization Board ($10M): established to fund energy efficiency and weatherization for the residents, employees, business, non-profit organizations and local governments within Lewis County and South Thurston County; up to $1 million shall be allocated to fund residential energy efficiency and weatherization measures for low-income and moderate-income residents of Lewis County and South Thurston County;
Economic & Community Development Board ($20M): established to fund education, retraining, economic development, and community enhancement; at least $5M shall be allocated to fund education, retraining and economic development specifically targeting the needs of workers displaced from the Centralia facility;
Energy Technology Board ($25M): established to fund energy technologies with the potential to create environmental benefits to the state of Washington.
Centralia Coal Transition Board awards grant to Veteran’s Memorial Museum
Centralia, Wash. (November 18, 2024) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award in the amount of $300,000.00 to support the Veteran’s Journey Forward Program. The mission of the program is to create a peer support hub, provide peer training for veterans and foster partnerships to help with the medical needs of the local Veteran community. The grant funds will be applied to administrative expenses, mental health training and counseling, events, and dental triage and assistance.
The Veterans Memorial Museum has been in operation in Southwest Washington since 1997 with the goal of providing a space where people can learn about the service and sacrifices of Veterans. The Veterans Journey Forward program will enhance the efforts of the organization to provide necessary services to the Veteran community to show honor and a sense of healing.
The Economic & Community Development Board was formed as a result of the 2011 Agreement between TransAlta and the state of Washington to transition the Centralia Plant away from coal-fired operations with one unit retiring at the end of 2020 and the second unit at the end of 2025. The company is investing $55 million in Lewis and South Thurston Counties and the state of Washington through the Coal Transition Boards.
Overview of the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards:
Weatherization Board ($10M): established to fund energy efficiency and weatherization for the residents, employees, business, non-profit organizations and local governments within Lewis County and South Thurston County; up to $1 million shall be allocated to fund residential energy efficiency and weatherization measures for low-income and moderate-income residents of Lewis County and South Thurston County;
Economic & Community Development Board ($20M): established to fund education, retraining, economic development, and community enhancement; at least $5M shall be allocated to fund education, retraining and economic development specifically targeting the needs of workers displaced from the Centralia facility;
Energy Technology Board ($25M): established to fund energy technologies with the potential to create environmental benefits to the state of Washington.
Centralia Coal Transition Board awards grant to Centralia Community Foundation
Centralia, Wash. (November 18, 2024) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award in the amount of $110,200.00 to the Centralia Community Foundation to support the addition of a new video display board at the Centralia High School Football Field. The video display board is a piece of a larger project underway at the Centralia High School’s Tiger Stadium where the turf is being replaced. The video display board will have an opportunity to generate advertising revenue, fundraising, and promote various activities and programs within the school and the community.
The mission of the Centralia Community Foundation is to provide dedicated leadership, fundraising, and a commitment to creating positive change in Centralia and the region. The Foundation partners with donors, granting agencies, and private industry to support educational enhancements and career pathways to improve the quality of life and provide future opportunities for students and citizens.
The Economic & Community Development Board was formed as a result of the 2011 Agreement between TransAlta and the state of Washington to transition the Centralia Plant away from coal-fired operations with one unit retiring at the end of 2020 and the second unit at the end of 2025. The company is investing $55 million in Lewis and South Thurston Counties and the state of Washington through the Coal Transition Boards.
Overview of the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards:
Weatherization Board ($10M): established to fund energy efficiency and weatherization for the residents, employees, business, non-profit organizations and local governments within Lewis County and South Thurston County; up to $1 million shall be allocated to fund residential energy efficiency and weatherization measures for low-income and moderate-income residents of Lewis County and South Thurston County;
Economic & Community Development Board ($20M): established to fund education, retraining, economic development, and community enhancement; at least $5M shall be allocated to fund education, retraining and economic development specifically targeting the needs of workers displaced from the Centralia facility;
Energy Technology Board ($25M): established to fund energy technologies with the potential to create environmental benefits to the state of Washington.
Centralia Coal Transition Board awards grant to Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe
Centralia, (November 18, 2024) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board is pleased to announce it has awarded a grant in the amount of $130,311 to the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe to support the installation of solar on the new Recreation Center and the elders’ food program building, locally known as the “Green” building. The Green building will offer a broad range of services, assist in emergency management situations, provide office space to tribal members and host the elders’ food program, serving hot lunches to elders at no cost.
The solar installation aligns with the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe’s efforts to reduce adverse impacts on the environment and reduce emissions while developing Tribal energy sovereignty and security.
The Sauk-Suiattle Indian people have lived under the gaze of the Whitehorse Mountain for many generations. They lived as hunters, gatherers and fishermen in the region of the Sauk Prairie near the present-day town of Darrington, Washington, with a population of 1,088. In the early days, they were known as the Sah-ku-me-hu. Sauk-Suiattle homelands encompassed the entire drainage area of the Skagit, Sauk, Suiattle and Cascade rivers.
The Energy Technology Board was formed as a result of the 2011 Agreement between TransAlta and the state of Washington. This agreement allowed for the Centralia plant to move away from coal-fired operations with one unit retiring in December 2020 and the second unit in December 2025. TransAlta is investing $55 million into Lewis and South Thurston counties and the state of Washington through the Coal Transition Boards.
Overview of the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards:
Weatherization Board ($10M): established to fund energy efficiency and weatherization for the residents, employees, business, non-profit organizations and local governments within Lewis County and South Thurston County; up to $1 million shall be allocated to fund residential energy efficiency and weatherization measures for low-income and moderate-income residents of Lewis County and South Thurston County;
Economic & Community Development Board ($20M): established to fund education, retraining, economic development, and community enhancement; at least $5M shall be allocated to fund education, retraining and economic development specifically targeting the needs of workers displaced from the Centralia facility;
Energy Technology Board ($25M): established to fund energy technologies with the potential to create environmental benefits to the state of Washington.
