HF Fly-In Delivers Hardwood Industry Issues To Congress In Over 100 Meetings
Photos By Scott Henrichsen
Recently, over 70 members of the hardwood industry including mill and yard executives, manufacturers, exporters and association representatives were scheduled to visit Washington, DC, in order to meet with members of the Trump Administration and elected officials on Capitol Hill during the annual Hardwood Federation’s (HF) Fly-In.
At the time of this writing, HF attendees were on track to attend well over 100 meetings, sharing personal accounts of how the current economic climate, the impacts of global tariffs, and declining demand are impacting the U.S. hardwood industry. Prior to the Fly-In, HF’s executive director, Dana Lee Cole, noted in a statement that the messaging in 2025 may have glimmers of potential positives, but there is also grave concern among industry leaders, particularly about the steep decline and elimination of export of U.S. hardwood logs, lumber and products to major trading partners.
Cole further wrote that participants in the Fly-In would focus on three key areas during their advocacy efforts.
Joe Pryor, Oaks Unlimited Inc., Waynesville, NC; U.S. Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03 District), Manteo, NC; and Tom Inman, AHMI, High Point, NC
First and foremost –
the impacts of the Trump Administration trade policy and the imposition of global tariffs on the U.S. hardwood industry. While the industry as a whole favors the pursuit of fair-trade practices, the current situation has put many hardwood mills in a tenuous situation. Fly-In participants were expecting to make a strong case that while the industry prefers the opportunity to pursue fair and open markets, if the current situation continues, industry members need financial assistance to avoid significant closures and lost capacity.
The Fly-In’s second key issue –
reviving and extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act tax benefits enacted in 2017. Among the tax goals for small and medium businesses are renewing and extending the 100 percent bonus depreciation benefit that has been phasing out, the research and development tax credit that has expired and the Section 199A deduction for S-Corporations and other pass-through structures that will expire at the end of this year. Cole noted that there is also talk that a “millionaire’s tax” raising top marginal tax rates to roughly twice what public C corporations pay will be included in the eventual package, which would hit S-Corps particularly hard. Congressional leaders hope to finalize and pass a single, comprehensive measure before the July 4th recess.
The third issue on the HF Fly-In’s list –
encouraging reauthorization of the Farm Bill, which has been in limbo for over two years. The Farm Bill does traditionally include key forestry provisions, including funding for hardwood export programs, Wood Innovation and Wood Energy Grants, and potentially training support for forestry related jobs.
Prior to meeting with Congressional leaders, the Hardwood Federation held a Board meeting and a Welcome Reception at the Embassy Suites Hotel/Washington, DC, Convention Center.
Learn more about the Hardwood Federation by visiting hardwoodfederation.com.
