WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is taking grant applications for projects that expand wood products and wood energy markets, especially in areas with high wildfire risk. Applications may be submitted through Jan. 22, 2018.
Grants provided through the agency’s Wood Innovations program not only help reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health, but also create jobs to promote economic vitality in our communities.
In 2018, the program will invest up to $7 million in projects designed to have a long-term impact on lands managed by the agency and other forest lands by leveraging the market for low-value wood. Funding is available to support a diverse range of activities, from completing engineering designs, cost analyses, permitting, or other requirements for the final stages of commercial construction projects using wood as a primary building material as well as developing a cluster of wood energy projects in a specific geographic area. Funding may also support business planning and efforts to accelerate the manufacturing, market adoption, and demonstration of innovative wood products, such as cross-laminated timber.
Since 2005, almost 280 grants have been awarded to small businesses, non-profits, institutions of higher education, tribes, states, and local governments to improve forest health while creating jobs, renewable energy and healthy communities. Since 2013, this funding has also helped establish 22 Statewide Wood Energy Teams and eight Statewide Wood Utilization Teams that collectively expand and support wood energy and wood products markets.
This week is National Forest Products Week (Oct. 15-21), when we celebrate the value of America’s forests and the products they provide while recommitting to sustainably manage these splendid natural resources to meet our nation’s needs now and in the future.
October 19, is National Bioenergy Day, a day to unite organizations across the country that support bioenergy to demonstrate the many benefits that bioenergy provides at the local level. A diversified wood products industry enhances resiliency of our ecosystems, sequesters carbon, and creates jobs in rural communities.
Read the full article at: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/wood/pricing-supply/us-spend-7-million-effort-expand-wood-markets
