The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has announced up to $34 million in grant funding to enhance the forest products sector and create jobs. This funding aims to promote sustainable wood markets, renewable wood energy, and expand wood processing capacity. The initiative supports the Biden-Harris Investing in America agenda, focusing on economic growth and forest health. The announcement was made on Oct. 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

The funding, enabled by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, will be distributed through three key programs: Wood Innovations Grant, Community Wood Grant, and Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance. The programs seek proposals that utilize sustainably sourced wood in construction, energy production, and product manufacturing. They also aim to retrofit existing facilities, expand wood energy systems, and build processing infrastructure. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized the role of these grants, stating, “Sustainably sourcing wood to manufacture products makes our forests healthier and our communities more vibrant.” He credited the administration’s Investing in America agenda for boosting investment in sustainable wood products and forest management, creating jobs in rural communities.

Since 2021, the three grant programs have funded 482 projects across the U.S., deploying nearly $190 million. An additional $618 million was matched or leveraged from project applicants, bringing the total investment to $808 million. These projects have helped establish new wood markets, improve processing efficiency, and strengthen wood infrastructure. By supporting markets for sustainably sourced wood, the grants address critical challenges like wildfire risks, disease, and pest infestations.

The Forest Service seeks proposals from private, non-profit, and government entities, including tribes, local and state governments, businesses, higher education institutions, public utilities, and conservation organizations. The funding focuses on innovative uses of small-diameter timber and woody biomass, which have historically had low market value. Grant recipients can explore these materials for commercially viable wood products, contributing to sustainable forest management and risk reduction.

Source: usda.gov