U.S. Forest Service rolls out $105 million in wood innovation grants

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  The U.S. Forest Service has announced $105.5 million in wood innovation grants for 177 projects across the nation that support active management of national forests and grasslands, promote wood and energy infrastructure by increasing manufacturing capacity and operational efficiencies and support rural economic prosperity and jobs.

The grants include $31 million for 113 wood innovation projects, $17 million for 23 community wood projects, and $57 million for 41 wood products infrastructure assistance projects across 44 states. 

“The greatest threat to forest landowners and those who use forests is the lack of critical markets in today’s timber and wood products industries,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “There are significant gaps where low-value wood, small diameter trees and restoration byproducts lack viable buyers. To close these gaps, we are investing in companies and organizations that are developing technologies, products, business models and training to expand and strengthen markets directly connected to forest restoration. Over time, this will help create new uses for underused materials, strengthen rural economies, improve forest health, and make forest management more financially sustainable.”

A selection of the grant recipients and project descriptions are below:

Keller Lumber (Ala., $300,000): Expands lumber drying capabilities to support markets for 5 million board feet annually.

Swift Lumber Inc. (Ala., $300,000): Upgrades sawmill production technologies to process over 260,000 tons annually, including on the Conecuh National Forest.

Vaagen Bros Lumber, Inc. (Wash., $195,000): Evaluates sawmill residue processing technologies to expand markets for low-value wood by 14,000 tons annually on the Colville National Forest.

CNW Wood Products (Calif., $497,000): Establishes new sawmill to increase timber use by 14 million board feet annually.

Sequoia Forest Products (Calif., $300,000): Upgrades lumber production technologies to expand markets while supporting active forest management and rural manufacturing jobs.

Pallet & Lumber Supply, LLC (Ariz., $300,000): Engineers and designs biochar production system to expand markets by 12,000 tons annually and support active forest management on national forests in Arizona.

Dupont Pine Products, LLC (Ga., $1 million): Installs wood energy system to increase low-value wood use by over 100,000 tons annually in Georgia.

Woodgrain, Inc. (Idaho, $300,000): Upgrades lumber production technologies to expand production by 0.5 million board feet annually in Idaho.

Robinson Lumber Company, Inc. (Ind., $300,000): Upgrades wood processing equipment to increase production by 1 million board feet annually and support rural jobs in Indiana.

East Perry Lumber Company (Mo., $107,184): Upgrades wood energy system components to support rural jobs and retain 6,000 tons of low-value wood markets in Missouri and Illinois.

Baillie Lumber Co. (Ky., $300,000): Upgrades sawmill production technologies to expand lumber markets by 0.5 million board feet annually while supporting active forest management on the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Robbins Lumber East Baldwin, LLC (Maine, $235,714): Upgrades sawmill processing technologies to improve operational efficiencies while supporting active forest management in Maine.

Prime Lumber Company (N.C., $300,000): Expands thermal modification capabilities to increase production and markets for wood in the U.S.

Stimson Lumber Company (Ore., $346,712): Upgrades sawmill production equipment to increase lumber production by 25 million board feet annually in eastern Oregon.

Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC (Ore., $300,000): Automates wood pellet processing to increase biomass use by over 10,000 tons per year and support rural jobs in Oregon.

Courtesy: www.hbsdealer.com