US Forest Service Announces $95 Million in Wood Innovation Grants

On Wednesday, the US Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service announced up to $95 million in competitive grant funding through its Wood Innovations program to advance innovative wood uses, expand wood-based construction, and grow US wood energy markets and forest product processing capacity.

Funding is available through three programs: the Wood Innovations Grant, Community Wood Grant, and Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Grant programs. Together, the programs support projects that develop innovative wood products, increase the use of wood in commercial and residential construction, expand wood energy systems, and modernize, retrofit, or increase the capacity of wood products manufacturing facilities.

Eligible applicants include private businesses, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, tribes, state and local government institutions of higher education, and public utility, fire, conservation, and school districts. Businesses engaged in or supporting the forest products economy may apply for funding to expand manufacturing capacity.

In remarks accompanying the announcement, US Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz said:

“A strong timber industry is essential for active forest management and the vitality of rural economies. By supporting mills and markets that transform forest byproducts into valuable goods, we strengthen domestic manufacturing, reduce wildfire risks, and generate well-paying jobs across rural America.”