Centralia Coal Transition Board awards grant to United Way of Lewis Count
Centralia, Wash. (February 13, 2025) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award in the amount of $419,772.00 to United Way of Lewis County. United Way of Lewis County, Discover! Children’s Museum, and the Boys & Girls Club of Lewis County are partnering to develop a strong early childhood education system. The project is on track for Phase 1 completion through a combination of various funding sources including $1 million awarded by the Centralia Coal Transition Board in 2020. This additional grant award will be combined with other funding sources to complete the physical structure of the learning center.
The United Learning Center will utilize the expertise of local, regional and national specialists, including ECEAP, Head Start, preschools and childcare professionals with a goal of serving a minimum of 80 children daily. These skilled individuals will work with children and their families to achieve a standard of kindergarten readiness.
For over 60 years, United Way of Lewis County has been steadfast in its mission to bring people and resources together to support those in need. The agency is governed by a Board of Directors composed of 18 dedicated community members representing a wide range of organizations.
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.