Centralia Coal Transition Board Supports Inpatient Health Care
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 $209,422.50 to support a 16-bed inpatient expansion project underway by Cascade Community Health Care at the Substance Use Disorder Clinic in Chehalis. The expansion will include a second floor and will allow the clinic to house clients for up to 30 days of treatment. These inpatient services will support serving up to 832 individuals per year and assist in reducing the substance use disorder in the local community. It is anticipated that the expansion efforts will generate approximately 40 new jobs to include substance use professionals, dietary/kitchen aids, treatment technicians and housekeeping.
The grant award from the coal transition board will be combined with funding received from the Department of Commerce.
Cascade Community Healthcare is designated as a Washington State Nonprofit Corporation and directed by a board of local citizens. The organization offers a wide range of behavioral health care services with a mission to serve the local community with acceptance, compassion, and respect.
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.