Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $9.6 Million Heading to Oregon to Protect Forests and Advance Wood Product Innovation

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is investing $9,622,000 in 17 projects in Oregon to boost the creation of innovative wood products, develop more markets for uses of mass timber and renewable wood energy, and increase the capacity of wood processing and manufacturing facilities. This federal funding is critical to ensuring the state’s leadership in the wood products industry, while helping to restore healthy forests and reduce wildfire risk.
“Oregon has the best wood products in the world, and federal funding opportunities like the Wood Innovations Program help keep our state at the forefront of timber innovation while uplifting our rural communities,”said Merkley, who previously introduced his bipartisanMass Timber Federal Buildings Actto promote the use of mass timber in federal building projects and military construction.“These projects are a win-win to develop new Oregon-made wood products and to reduce the risk of high severity wildfires on our forests. I will continue to look for ways to support the wood products industry that is deeply rooted in Oregon.”
“Our state is leading the way to a better, safer and more energy-efficient future in Oregon and nationwide by drawing a robust blueprint for the success of mass timber and renewable wood energy,”said Wyden.“And these 17 federal investments add up to one big win for Oregon when it comes to supporting that goal bringing jobs, a better economy and reduced threats of wildfire.”
The wood products industry is essential to Oregon and the entire Pacific Northwest’s economy. Sustainably sourced materials for many types of wood products can improve the resiliency of our forests. For example, removal of small diameter trees and brush can help reduce wildfire severity and spread.
The investments for Oregon are part of a broader suite of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s USFS Wood Innovations Program grants for public, private, and non-profit sectors,totaling $80 million for projects across the countrythis year.
The 17 projects selected in Oregon are being funded in three Wood Innovations Program grant categories, which are as follows:
Wood Innovation Grants
Community Wood Grant
Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Grant
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