Centralia Coal Transition Board Awards Grant to the Boistfort School District
Centralia, Wash. (September 12, 2024) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award in the amount of $6,885.00 to the Boistfort School District to replace the vintage 1964 score board in the school gymnasium. The score board was failing and beyond repair and with the support of community donations, volunteer services and funding from the board, the school will purchase a new scoreboard. The installation and replacement of the board will be done by staff and volunteers.
The Boistfort School District provides education to approximately 90 students from pre-school through 8th grade. The first school was established in Boistfort Valley in 1853 and served as a community hub, open for a shelter and aid center during the 2007 flood. The gymnasium is used by local patrons for playing and practicing, for recreational youth programs, and by a neighboring school district when needed. The district is in the first year of partnering with an on-line school that provides education to approximately 250 students.
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.