News

Centralia Coal Transition Board Supports the Lewis County Tennis & Wrestling Facility Project,

Centralia, Wash. (December 1, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Economic & Community Development Board approved a grant award in the amount of $750,000.00 to support the construction of indoor tennis courts and a middle school wrestling facility. The Lewis County Regional Tennis Facility will serve the tennis and wrestling communities and present opportunities to train, hold matches and tournaments. This project is supported by various partners which will bring varying experiences to run and manage the facility.

This facility will draw users from all over Washington State and beyond. These types of facilities bring families to the community to shop, play, eat, recreate, purchase fuel and stay in local hotels/motels while attracting new businesses and professionals to Lewis County boosting the local economy.

The Economic & Community Development 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:

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 the Centralia Borst Park Light Project ,

Centralia, (December 1, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Weatherization Board is pleased to announce the approval of a grant award in the amount of $250,000.00 to support the Borst Park Light project under the direction of the City of Centralia. The funding for this development project is to expand available playing time for youth and adults by accommodating field use into the evening hours while adding energy efficiency for the City of Centralia. The facilities located at the Borst Park serve as a central hub for social interactions, bringing people together for games and practices and reinforcing a sense of connection among residents.

The project integrates the field lighting project with the initiative to turf the fields extending the usability and versatility of the ballfields. The project will also address safety concerns enhancing a safe area for those participating in and attending events.

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.

Centralia Coal Transition Board Supports Chehalis Foundation, Website

Centralia, (November 3, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Economic & Community Development Board approved a grant award in the amount of $500,000.00 to support the W.F. West Football, Soccer and Track Project. The Chehalis Foundation will receive grant funds which will be allocated to upgrades to the W.F. West High School field and track to improve infrastructure, installation of turf, expansion to regulation soccer field dimensions and resurfacing the track. These improvements will enhance the overall experience for athletes and spectators.

This project has several additional sources of funding and is a project that will serve Lewis County year-round for youth and their families while supporting sports tourism in the community. Construction is anticipated to begin in late spring of 2026.

The Economic & Community Development 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.

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.