News

Centralia Coal Transition Board  Supports Operations of the Business Equity Center, Website

Centralia, Wash. (April 1, 2024) The Centralia Coal Transition Board approved a grant award in the amount of $650,000 to acquire additional space to enhance the operations of the Business Equity Center located in Centralia, Washington and, to support ongoing development of various programs for existing and new small business owners. The Business Equity Center provides a comprehensive support network for current and future business owners and is a core program of the Lewis Economic Development Council.

The Business Equity Center was formed in 2021 under the leadership of the Economic Alliance of Lewis County to provide new entrepreneurs and small business owners with the tools and knowledge to plan, start, manage and grow their businesses. The Business Equity Center offers a wide range of support, including advising new startups, providing business growth guidance and connecting businesses with other local sources. The funding of this grant will enhance how the Business Equity Center can serve Lewis County.

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 Board Supports Student STEM and Fine Arts Program ,

Centralia, Wash. (April 1, 2024) The Centralia Coal Transition Board approved a grant award in the amount of $15,000 to assist with the purchase of curriculum, technology and science supplies, fine art supplies, and a salary stipend for instructors for the Bethel After School Program. The purpose of the program is to expand the student curriculum and to enrich students in grades K-12 that are otherwise deficient in their educational access to science, technology, engineering, math and fine arts studies.

The Bethel After School Program is open to all students in grades K-12 who are enrolled in the Chehalis School District. At present there are 89 students being served with many of the students being elementary age, 65 regularly scheduled volunteers (25 of which are mentors) and ongoing enrollment in the program of an average of four students per month.

The Bethel After School Program was started in 2023 for the primary purpose of assisting Chehalis families who were impacted by the School District’s early release schedule each Wednesday. The goal of the Program is to expand to 200 students throughout grades K-12 in Chehalis.

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 Board supports public service and emergency response project for Lewis and South Thurston Counties, Website

Centralia, Wash. The Economic & Community Development Board approved a grant award in the amount of $90,000.00 to support a community service development project being led by the Chehalis Valley Educational Foundation – KACS Network. The project is expected to support improvements to the emergency network signal which will strengthen signals for the Lewis County and South Thurston County coverage areas. With the improvements at tower sites, the quality of the signals and reach to the community will improve the signal quality and reliability, while making public service and emergency response more impactful and efficient.

The Chehalis Valley Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) registered charity and nonprofit public service formed and incorporated in 1991 in Chehalis, Washington, by local Chehalis Valley business leaders with the express purpose of building and operating a family-friendly Non-commercial Educational FFC licensed FM radio service to southwestern Washington residents.

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 supports Adna School District, Website

Centralia, Wash. The Economic & Community Development Board approved a grant award in the amount of $808,326.00 to support the Adna School/Community Gymnasium Project. The school district recognized a need for more gym space with increased student enrollment and community growth. Over the years the school district was able to meet their needs by renting various facilities. The funding from the Centralia Coal Transition Board will help allow the school district to complete the construction of a 70’x105’ gymnasium with accompanying restrooms, backstops, scoreboards, spectator seating and a sound system, making the building available for school and community events.  

The Adna School District sits midway between Portland and Seattle and is located five miles west of the I-5 corridor and the twin cities of Chehalis and Centralia. The district can be described as diverse, with a traditional agricultural base and close-knit community. Community support is strong with members actively participating and partnering with the schools.

The district student enrollment is approximately 650 with a graduating class generally in the 60s. Graduates have been successful in many different areas including medicine, education, arts, and trades.

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, Website

Supports Baseball Field Renovation at W.F. West High School

Centralia, Wash. The Economic & Community Development Board approved a grant award in the amount of $120,000 to support renovation of the W.F. West Baseball Field to include upgrades to the drainage system and turf installation. The Chehalis Foundation and Chehalis School District entered a partnership to renovate a field which not only serves the W.F. West High School Bearcats but serves the baseball community in Lewis County. The new drainage systems and addition of synthetic turf infield and outfield will enable the field to be used in early spring and extended use in the fall months expanding its use to include youth baseball tournaments.

The Chehalis Foundation has worked with the community, educators, and city leadership to raise funding for this project. The grant amount funded by the coal transition board helps to reach the final fundraising efforts.

The Chehalis Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community foundation that supports the city, community, and academic excellence in Chehalis Schools. To date, the Chehalis Foundation has raised over 20 million dollars from generous contributors and has completed over 30 projects.

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.