USDA Awards $80M Wood Innovation Grants Across 39 States

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, led by Secretary Brooke L. Rollins, is awarding $80 million in Wood Innovation Grants to promote wood products manufacturing, expand forest management, and support energy innovation across America's timber-producing regions. This funding aims to reduce wildfire risks by addressing overstocked and unhealthy forests, while also boosting rural economies through job creation in harvesting, milling, and wood manufacturing. The grants are part of a broader strategy aligned with President Trump's America First agenda to remove regulatory barriers, enhance forest resilience, and secure a sustainable domestic wood supply. These projects will utilize advanced technologies like pyrolysis to convert forest restoration byproducts into usable materials, supporting both environmental and economic goals. This $80 million investment follows a prior $200 million timber investment and emphasizes regulatory streamlining and expedited project approvals to accelerate forest health improvements and economic opportunities. Overall, the initiative reflects a commitment to balancing natural resource management with rural community growth and national energy objectives.