Thompson Secures More than $1.5 Million in Grants for Pennsylvania’s Timber Industry

BELLEFONTE, Pa. – This week, U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) announced $1,552,631 in funding for forestry businesses in Pennsylvania’s 15^th Congressional District to support forest management, increase production capabilities, improve processing equipment and technologies, and support our rural economy.

"Pennsylvania has one of the largest hardwood timber industries in the nation, and our forest products generate tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars across the state annually,” Rep. Thompson said. “I am proud to secure this funding to ensure these local businesses have the tools they need to help expand and strengthen our timber markets.”

“The greatest threat to forest landowners and those who use forests is the lack of critical markets in today’s timber and wood products industries,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “There are significant gaps where low-value wood, small diameter trees and restoration byproducts lack viable buyers. To close these gaps, we are investing in companies and organizations that are developing technologies, products, business models and training to expand and strengthen markets directly connected to forest restoration. Over time, this will help create new uses for underused materials, strengthen rural economies, improve forest health, and make forest management more financially sustainable.”

Wood Innovation Grants were awarded to the following businesses: 

• Brownlee Lumber, Inc. of Brookville, Pa. Funding will upgrade sawmill production capabilities to improve operational efficiencies and support active forest management of the Allegheny National Forest.
• Emporium Hardwoods Operating Company, LLC of Emporium, Pa. Funding will install sawmill processing technologies to increase production capacity and efficiencies.
• Forcey Lumber Company, Inc. of Woodland, Pa. Funding will upgrade veneer processing capabilities to retain rural jobs and produce over 3 million board feet annually.
• Gutchess Lumber Co., Inc. of Brookville, Pa. Funding will install sawmill processing technologies to increase production capacity by 1.4 million board feet annually.
• Northwest Hardwoods of Marienville, Pa. Funding will upgrade sawmill processing equipment to increase timber markets by 10% annually supporting the Allegheny National Forest.
• Wheeland Lumber Co., Inc. of Liberty, Pa. Funding will upgrade sawmill processing equipment to expand lumber production by 2 million board feet annually while supporting rural jobs in Pennsylvania.

This funding from the U.S. Forest Service is a part of the Wood Innovation Grant Program, which is awarded to projects that support active management of national forests and grasslands, promote wood and energy infrastructure by increasing manufacturing capacity and operational efficiencies, and support rural economic prosperity and jobs.