News

Centralia Coal Transition Board Awards Grant to support the Agriculture Innovation Park in Tenino, Washington,

Centralia, Wash. (September 30, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award to the Thurston Economic Development Council Center for Business Innovation in the amount of $600,000.00 to support the Agriculture Innovation Park in Tenino, Washington. The grant funds will support site construction and infrastructure installation at the Agriculture Innovation Park in Tenino, Washington for a regional meat processing facility.

The objective/outcome of this project is to fill a gap in the regional-scale meat processing infrastructure, creating a local meat supply chain that will provide reliable processing infrastructure for local producers, increasing revenue for up to 100 ranchers across 14 counties, and increasing local food production for regional consumers.

The regional-scale meat processing facility is anticipated to directly create over 40 new full-time positions. The NW Meat Processors Association headquartered in Chehalis, Washington has plans to utilize the site for a meat cutters apprenticeship workforce training program to help create a pipeline of new workers within the meat cutter’s trade.

This project is supported by various partners and additional sources of funding. The planning and site preparation is estimated to take approximately one year with the project completion date in August 2026.

The Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) has served Thurston County’s economic development agency since 1982. In 2009, the EDC and partners launched the South Thurston Economic Development Initiative (STEDI), a long-range economic and community development effort based on rural areas. STEDI engaged the communities of Yelm, Rainier, Tenino, Bucoda, and Rochester/Grand Mound as well as other strategic partners which resulted in the formation of the Agricultural Innovation Park, in partnership with the City of Tenino and the private sector. The Park is an integrated multi-tenant business park focused on value-added, agricultural/food-related enterprises, including a state-of-the-art hospitality event center and business resource and innovation hub located within the City of Tenino on a 13-acre site.

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.

Energy Technology Grant Awarded to Cummins Inc.-First Mode to Advance Hybrid Haul Truck Technology and Drive Decarbonization in Mining,

Centralia, (September 29, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant to Cummins Inc.-First Mode in the amount of $2,096,567.00 to support the continued development and testing of hybrid haul truck systems at the Proving Grounds-Centralia in Washington State. “This investment not only supports environmental goals but also strengthens the local economy,” said Mickey Dreher, Centralia Coal Transition board member. “Cummins’ commitment to community engagement and workforce development in Centralia aligns perfectly with our vision for a sustainable future.”

Read the full release here: https://www.cummins.com/news/releases/2025/09/29/cummins-secures-21-million-centralia-coal-transition-grants-energy.

About Cummins:

Cummins Inc., a global solutions leader, comprises five business segments – Engine, Components, Distribution, Power Systems and Accelera by Cummins – supported by its global manufacturing and extensive service and support network, skilled workforce and vast technological expertise. Cummins is committed to its Destination Zero strategy, which is grounded in the company’s commitment to sustainability and helping its customers successfully navigate the energy transition with its broad portfolio of products.

About the Coal Transition Board:

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 in Lewis and South Thurston counties and the state of Washington through the Coal Transition Boards.

Energy Technology Board ($25M): established to fund energy technologies with the potential to create environmental benefits to the state of Washington.

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.

Centralia Coal Transition Board Awards Grant to Centralia Youth Sports,

Centralia, Wash. (September 8, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award in the amount of $90,000.00 to support the Centralia Youth Sports program. The grant funding will support the youth football and cheerleading league franchise startup costs for youth attending the Centralia Public School as well as Home School and Private School students K-8^th grade who live in the Centralia Community. The organization will provide not only the equipment needed for program but sports attire, safety kit items, and full player scholarships for those youth who are unable to pay the standard player fee. Additional funding to support the program comes from membership fees and fundraising events.

Centralia Youth Sports is a nonprofit organization, founded in the fall of 2023 and is committed to raising funds to provide organized sports opportunities for K-12 Centralia athletes. With a focus on development, and community connection, the organization strives to empower children to play, compete and grow through athletics.

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 support log truck electrification, Website

Centralia, (September 8, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Energy Technology Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award to Northwest Natural Resource Group in the amount of $18,776.00 to support an electric log-truck feasibility study.

The assessment will evaluate the battery recharge potential based on a segmented analysis of haul routes by pitch, distance and driving surface; identify and evaluate possible charging locations; determine a feasible work cycle and coordination efforts to determine the specifications for a practical battery-powered log hauling combination. The findings will serve as the foundation for a proposal to an electric truck manufacturer to provide the use of a log truck for an actual pilot project testing.

The feasibility work will be underway beginning in September 2025 with a proof-of-concept demonstration in Q1 2026.

Northwest Natural Resource Group began in 1992 as a community-based non-profit organization striving for economic and environmental vitality on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Their mission is to strengthen the ecological and economic vitality of Northwest forests and communities with a focus on working with private landowners, smaller forest product companies, municipal agencies, Indian tribes, land trust, youth camps, and other non-profit organizations.

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.

About Centralia Coal Transition Funding 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 Weatherization Board,

Supports Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Curfman Custom fabrication  

Centralia, (July 28, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Weatherization Board is pleased to announce the approval of a grant award in the amount of $30,603.00 to support weatherization and energy efficiency improvements at Curfman Custom Fabrication located in Centralia, Washington. The project will retrofit a new thermoplastic polyolefin roof over the existing deteriorated metal corrugated main roof, adding a layer of insulation and weatherization; add insulation on the interior of the main building ceiling; and add new large capacity gutters along both eaves to capture and redirect water runoff. The work will be performed by a local contractor, and it is anticipated that it will be completed within 30 days.

Curfman Custom Fabrication is a industrial fabrication and supply shop located in Centralia, Washington. The shop was built between 1929-1931 for a stagecoach repair shop before transitioning to logging and mill supplies and custom cabling for the logging industry. After several owners and business purposes the Curfman brothers purchases the building and began contributing their expertise and skills in 2017 to support community and city projects and expanding into industrial supply.

The Weatherization Board was formed as part 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 in December 2020 and the second unit in December 2025.

Overview of the Centralia Coal Transition Funding Boards:

Annual payments for the funding boards began in 2012 with the last payment due December 31, 2023. The opportunity to start flowing dollars into projects became effective December 31, 2015.

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.