Washington DC – Grants worth approximately $ 13 million are available to support innovation in the wood and wood energy products market.
Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Jewel Bronaugh’s Oct. 19 announcement came at a “Leaders for the Built Environment” virtual event and kicks off National Forest Products Week as proclaimed by President Biden.
The USDA Forest Service is now accepting applications for these funds under the 2022 Timber Innovations Grants Program and 2022 Community Timber Grants Program. These grants are designed to expand and expand the use of timber. wood products and strengthen emerging wood energy markets that support sustainable forest management, especially in areas at high risk of forest fires.
The application period for both grant programs ends on Wednesday, January 19, 2022.
“The Wood Innovations Grant program has a long track record of success and strengthens and accelerates emerging markets for innovative wood products such as solid wood and cross-laminated timber,” said Bronaugh. “Healthy and productive markets for wood products and wood energy are integral to supporting sustainable forest management and improving the condition of our national forests. “
The Community Wood Grant Program helps finance the costs of installing wood energy systems or constructing innovative facilities for wood products. Grants under the Wood Innovations program address the national challenge of reducing the risk of catastrophic forest fires, disease and pest infestations by retaining or expanding existing markets for excess biomass and low logs. value gained from forest management activities.
The removed material supports both new and traditional markets, as well as local economic development. The removed material also reduces carbon emissions that would otherwise result from open combustion of excess or low value biomass.
The Forest Service will share information and answer questions on how to apply for grants during a webinar on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 2 p.m. EST.
For more information on grants and instructions on how to attend the webinar, visit the Forest Service’s Innovations Bois website.
