The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is investing in rural economies, reducing wildfire risk and improving forest conditions by awarding $7.62 million in grants as part of its Wood Innovations Grant program.
Separately, the Forest Service is awarding a total of $1.5 million to seven rural communities to help pay for the costs of installing wood energy systems and building innovative wood product facilities.
The Wood Innovations Grant program advances innovations in wood products that create jobs, revitalize local economies and support sustainable forest land management. Thirty-five business, nonprofit, university and tribal partners in 19 states and Puerto Rico will match the grants with an additional $131 million.
“Markets for wood products are key to supporting sustainable management and restoration of our nation’s forested lands,” said Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen. “We can keep both public and private forests healthy and resilient by fostering economic opportunities around wood products.”
This year the Forest Service received 103 proposals, demonstrating the expanding interest in using wood in traditional and innovative ways as a building material and a renewable energy source.
Of the 35 projects selected, 27 focus on expanding markets for wood products and eight seek to increase markets for renewable wood energy. This year’s projects expand uses for small diameter wood, develop new markets for biochar and wood-powered energy, explore using cross-laminated timber in health-care facilities, and examine how to finance urgent restoration work.
The second funding program will help rural communities in Alaska, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington State to use locally sourced wood to reduce energy costs and fossil fuel use while also supporting local forest management.
In addition to the grants, the awardees will collectively leverage an extra $3.4 million in matching funds. Together, the seven communities are expected to save more than $250,000 a year by using locally supplied, renewable wood energy.
For more information about the Community Wood Energy grant program, please visit https://bit.ly/3aEQxXi.
Information about the Wood Innovations Grant program is available at https://bit.ly/2XKNwBR.
