Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — The USDA Forest Service has announced it is investing more than $3.5 million in 8 proposals across the Southwestern Region to spark innovation, create new markets for wood products and renewable wood energy, and increase the capacity of wood processing facilities. The investments are part of a broader $73.9 million in nationwide investments to support the wood products economy and healthy forests and are made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and annual appropriations.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to supporting innovation in the wood products and wood energy economies, which are at the heart of so many small towns, especially in Tribal and rural communities,” said Deputy Secretary Torres Small. “These investments will support good paying jobs for families and communities. It will increase the economy’s capacity to manufacture wood products. In turn, sustainably sourcing the wood used to manufacture these products will make our forests healthier and reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires.”
“The Forest Service is investing in the future of America’s forest products economies through embracing innovation,” said Southwestern Regional Forester, Michiko Martin. “These grant programs support facilities that play a crucial role in reducing wildfire risk and encourage collaboration between local communities, forest management agencies, and wood processors to efficiently manage forest fuels and ensure healthier and more resilient ecosystems.”
The wood products economy is vital to the health of the forests in the Southwestern Region. Sustainably sourcing materials for wood products directly supports efforts to improve forest health. Removing dead trees and overgrown vegetation reduces wildfire risk, improves forest health, and creates wildlife habitat, all while supporting the forest products economy.
The Forest Service is awarding grants to entities across the public, private, and non-profit sectors through its Wood Innovations Grant, Community Wood Grant, and Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Grant Programs. Grant funding will support proposals that increase demand and create new and innovative uses for sustainably sourced wood. Funded proposals include converting heating systems in schools to sustainable biomass boilers, installing cutting-edge equipment in sawmills and processing facilities to increase efficiency, supporting innovative housing using mass timber, and more.
Funded proposals in the Southwestern Region include Novo BioPower’s biomass power plant turbine overhaul, Kaibab Millworks improvement project, and Arizona Log & TimberWorks’ forest waste composting to produce nutrient-rich soil amendments to help meet the demand for additional organic matter created by the USDA Organic Farming Initiative.
Visit the Forest Service website for more information on funding for the Wood Innovations, Community Wood and Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Grant Programs.
