Michigan Mass Timber Catalyst Program Awards $350,000 to Nine Projects

The Michigan Mass Timber Catalyst Program has awarded $350,000, along with a year of technical assistance, to support the development of nine building projects across the state, The Daily News reported (2-9-26).

Awardee project teams will join a cohort receiving technical assistance from WoodWorks, MassTimber@MSU, and other collaborators. The program also includes public engagement and knowledge-sharing activities aimed at promoting best practices and accelerating adoption of mass timber construction in Michigan.

“Demand for mass timber is growing in Michigan, with more than 65 projects complete or in development statewide,” Sandra Lupien, director of MassTimber@MSU at Michigan State University, said. “But this is still a new technology and early adopters need support to overcome commonly faced knowledge gaps.”

All nine projects selected in the initial round are located in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. According to a news release from MassTimber@MSU and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the initial call for proposals, which closed December 22, 2025, received no applications from the Upper Peninsula.

A supplemental call for proposals is now open for Upper Peninsula projects, with $50,000 available for submissions received through March 2. Awards from that round are expected to be announced March 16.

Both Michigan State University and the DNR have invested in mass timber facilities, including MSU’s STEM Teaching and Learning Facility in East Lansing and the DNR’s Newberry Customer Service Center in the eastern Upper Peninsula.