American Wood Council Applauds $105 Million in Forest Service Wood Innovations Grants

The American Wood Council (AWC) celebrates the U.S. Forest Service’s announcement of $105.5 million as part of the Wood Innovations Grant (WIG) Program. The new grants include 177 projects across the nation that seek to fulfill the goal of WIG to “support innovation, expand wood energy markets, and promote wood as a sustainable building material.” 

“We’re grateful to see the Forest Service investing in projects like these. Every new market for wood products is good news for our forests, the U.S. wood products industry, and the communities that depend on both,” said AWC Vice President of Government Affairs Will Layden. 

AWC has long championed the connection between a strong wood products industry and healthy, resilient forests. Active forest management reduces wildfire risk and improves forest health, while a robust market for wood products makes that management financially sustainable. Wood also remains one of the most used building products, and continued innovation in mass timber and engineered wood products is expanding where and how wood can be used to build. 

AWC looks forward to continuing to work with the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, and Congress to grow markets that keep America’s forests healthy and its rural economies strong.