The U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding $80 million in Wood Innovation Grants to expand wood products manufacturing, increase forest management, and drive energy innovation in timber-producing regions. These funds aim to enhance rural jobs, reduce wildfire risk, and decrease reliance on foreign materials, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The investment aligns with President Trump’s national resource strategy by removing regulatory barriers and encouraging sustainable domestic wood supply. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins emphasized the economic and environmental importance of forest health, linking it directly to rural growth and national energy goals.
This $80 million initiative follows a larger $200 million timber investment announced in May, forming part of a comprehensive plan to strengthen forest resilience and accelerate project approvals. The USDA's broader strategy seeks to reduce overstocked forests, increase productivity, and safeguard communities vulnerable to wildfire threats.
