Centralia Coal Transition Board Supports Art Enrichment Programs
Centralia, Wash. (September 3, 2024) The Centralia Coal Transition Grants Economic & Community Development Board is pleased to announce it has approved a grant award in the amount of $100,449.55 to support the School of Arts Program through the Bethel Church.
The School of the Arts program is intended to expand the student curriculum of Bethel School Programs, to enhance students’ K-12 experience and their ability to financially access music and art enrichment programs. The program will partner with the local school district and provide educational opportunities in Ballet, Keyboarding, Guitar, Ukulele, Drama, Creative Movement, Percussion and General Art Studies.
Bethel started the School of Arts Program to provide a positive environment for children to learn through art enrichment courses, after-school, and at an affordable cost. The program is designed around the goal of partnering students with supportive mentors to ensure their academic success and ability to thrive in their future careers. In the first year of the program approximately 100 children were served.
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.