Regular readers of Branching Out recognize that the forestry industry in Maryland is larger than many realize. The forest products sector is worth more than $3 billion to the state’s economy, and tax revenue is consistently among the top ten annually. According to the Maryland Forest Service, Marylanders consume nine times more wood products than are produced within the state, yet the state’s forests grow four times more wood than is harvested or that is lost through natural events. Along with higher pay scales than in other sectors, it’s clear that the forest products industry has room to grow. And two new opportunities exist for individuals, groups, or companies to receive grant funding to grow their businesses in Maryland.
One is from the Maryland Agricultural & Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation, also known as MARBIDCO. A new grant opportunity, the “Wood Products Industry Equity Investment Grant Program,” is designed to help the state’s forestry businesses improve their operations’ efficiency. According to MARBIDCO, the grant program
...helps Maryland wood fiber harvesters, processors and manufacturers to purchase new equipment or helps Maryland wood fiber harvesters, processors, and manufacturers to purchase new equipment or construct facilities so that they can engage in increased production and utilization of locally sourced wood fiber, enhanced commercial revenue generation, and retention and creation of new job opportunities.
The deadline for applications is 4 PM, December 15, 2023. Full details and application form can be found on the MARBIDCO website at:
https://www.marbidco.org/_pages/programs_grants/grant_programs_wpiei_wood.htm
The second opportunity comes from the US Dept. of Agriculture Forest Service via the federal “Investing in America” agenda. Two new programs are soliciting grant applications now through 5 PM on December 15, 2023. According to the USFS, the “Wood Innovations Grant Funding Opportunity”:
stimulates, expands, and supports U.S. wood products markets and wood energy markets to support the long-term management of National Forest System and other forest lands. Focus areas include mass timber, renewable wood energy, and technological development that supports hazardous fuel reduction and sustainable forest management.
The “Community Wood Grant Funding Opportunity Program”:
provides funding for grants to install thermally led community wood energy systems or to build innovative wood product manufacturing facilities. The Forest Service expects renewable wood energy systems installed under this program to use the most stringent control technologies. The program places extra emphasis on assisting sawmills in economically challenged areas to retool or add advanced technology.
Applications and more information are available through the USFS at:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/energy-forest-products/wood-innovation