Michigan Launches Mass Timber Catalyst Program to Spur Construction Innovation

Michigan has launched the new Michigan Mass Timber Catalyst Program (MMTCP), an initiative aimed at encouraging wider use of mass timber in design and construction.

The program offers cash awards of $25,000–75,000, technical assistance, and a peer-learning cohort led by MassTimber@MSU and WoodWorks. Awarded project teams will work through design, cost estimation, procurement, and code-approval processes while participating in public engagement and knowledge-sharing events to promote best practices.

Although Michigan currently has no mass timber manufacturing facilities, demand for the material has grown sharply nationwide. A Michigan State University (MSU) study found that a facility producing 100,000 m³ of mass timber could contribute more than $300 million annually to the state’s gross domestic product.

“As we see more mass timber buildings go up across the state, it’s clear that mass timber can become an integral and important part of Michigan’s forest products economy, which generates more than $26 billion annually,” said Sandra Lupien, director of MassTimber@MSU.