WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has announced up to $95 million in competitive grant funding to support the forest products sector and related jobs.
The funding, available through the Wood Innovations program, will support projects that expand wood-based construction, develop innovative wood products, grow wood energy markets, and increase forest product processing capacity.
Grants will be distributed through three programs: the Wood Innovations Grant, Community Wood Grant, and Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Grant programs.
Eligible projects include those that:
- Develop new wood products
- Increase wood use in commercial and residential construction
- Expand wood energy systems
- Modernize or expand wood products manufacturing facilities
Applicants may include private businesses, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, tribes, state and local governments, institutions of higher education, and public utility, fire, conservation, and school districts.
The Forest Service said the funding is intended to support forest management activities and create markets for materials such as small-diameter timber and woody biomass. Final grant amounts will depend on available funding.
