Centralia Coal Transition Board Awards Grant to Support Mobile Classroom for Student Learning
Centralia, Wash. (July 25, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award in the amount of $48,400.00 to support the Mobile Classroom School Power Upgrade Project for middle and high school students in the Lewis County area. By providing mobile classrooms equipped with modern technology, all students in Lewis County will have equal access to quality educational resources, regardless of their school’s existing infrastructure.
The mobile classroom generated positive feedback from the students in Napavine noting the classroom effectively engages students and enhances their learning experience. The space is versatile that can adapt to various teaching styles and subjects, accommodating different learning needs.
Utilizing the grant funding will support assessing electrical needs between the school’s electrical system to determine if upgrades are required to support the mobile unit.
The Foundations partnership with the Centralia College mobile classroom will enrich educational experiences throughout the region.
The Centralia Community Foundation was formed in 2016 and partners with donors, granting agencies, and private industry to support educational enhancements for career pathways that will improve the quality of life and provide future opportunities for 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.