The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has announced $34 million in new funding for wood products innovation, unveiled during National Forest Products Week. This funding will be distributed through three grant programs: the Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Grant Program, the Wood Innovations Grant Program, and the Community Wood Grant Program. The grants, backed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, aim to enhance the wood products and wood energy sectors, supporting both forest management and local economies.
The Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Grant Program focuses on establishing or improving facilities that process byproducts from lands susceptible to severe wildfires and pest outbreaks. The Wood Innovations Grant Program is designed to stimulate the growth of wood products and energy markets nationwide, while the Community Wood Grant Program aims to support the installation of community wood energy systems and innovative wood manufacturing facilities.
According to Julie Kies, Regional Wood Innovations Program Lead, the initiative is part of the Forest Service’s commitment to strengthening America’s wood products industry, expanding market opportunities, and promoting healthier forests and resilient communities. Past grant projects have included advanced equipment for wood processing facilities, updates to biomass energy systems, and support for innovative wood products like mass timber.
For more information about the grant programs and their application process, visit the Forest Service’s Wood InnovationPage.
