On October 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service announced a funding opportunity aimed at restoring the forest products economy and creating jobs within the forestry sector
Up to $34 million is available through three grant programs, part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. These grants hope to encourage innovation, expand processing capacity, and promote sustainable uses of wood.
Sustainably sourced wood
The Forest Service is welcoming ideas that focus on innovative applications of sustainably sourced wood, whether it is in construction, renewable energy, or manufactured products.
These grants will also support the expansion and retrofitting of wood energy systems and manufacturing facilities across the nation. The emphasis on sustainable sourcing is intended to enhance forest health while benefiting local communities economically.
Strengthening the wood products sector
Since 2021, the Forest Service has invested nearly $190 million in 482 projects nationwide, successfully leveraging an additional $618 million from applicants. This has resulted in a total investment of over $808 million, supporting markets and infrastructure in the wood products sector.
The initiative is particularly relevant as it addresses the urgent issues of wildfire risk and forest health by creating markets for wood byproducts that traditionally have little value, such as small-diameter timber and woody biomass.
Applying for the grant
Eligible applicants for this funding include applicants from private businesses and non-profits to local governments, tribal organisations, and institutions of higher education.
By supporting the forest products economy, the USDA aims to strengthen employment opportunities in rural areas, especially where these industries are vital for community resilience.
This funding opportunity aligns with the Forest Service’s 10-year strategy to tackle the wildfire crisis, targeting areas where the risk to communities is greatest. Projects that use wood sourced from vegetation management efforts, such as prescribed burns and mechanical thinning, will be prioritised to reduce wildfire hazards.
By turning what was once considered waste into valuable products, the Forest Service aims to create a healthier environment and support economic opportunities in rural communities.
