Washington’s forest products industry is a cornerstone of the state’s economy, providing crucial support to rural communities and offering over 102,000 family wage jobs across all counties. These jobs contribute significantly to local economies, with the forest industry injecting $5.6 billion in wages and $300 million in taxes annually. However, the sustainability of these jobs is at risk due to … Read More
Darrington Wood Innovation Center awarded $6M federal grant
Plans to build a $73 million, 100-acre timber facility dedicated to supporting the creation of new wood products in rural Snohomish County received a significant boost from the federal government. The US Economic Development Administration (EDA), a bureau within the US Department of Commerce, announced a $6 million grant in support of the planned Darrington Wood Innovation Center. The Wood … Read More
Op-ed urges lawmakers to invest, support forest health and wildfire plans
Unhealthy forests and climate change played a significant role in this year’s wildfires, but state lawmakers can help prevent the catastrophic damage and devastation from future massive wildfires, according to an opinion piece authored by leaders representing private forestland owners, the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and an environmental organization. In an op-ed penned by Washington Forest Protection Association … Read More
Report names forestry sector as part of Washington’s green economy
Forestry is a vital component of Washington state’s green economy and climate change response, according to a state report that analyzed ways to connect that state’s greenhouse gas emission targets with economic development. The Washington State Department of Commerce and its Green Economy Work Group published a report this summer identifying forestry and building materials, energy, agriculture and water as … Read More
Local forest products company creates clean electricity
Above: Sierra Pacific Industries’ Burlington Mill has a cogeneration power plant that uses wood residuals created during the milling process to create steam heat and electricity. A Skagit County lumber mill will soon be a clean energy source for thousands of Puget Sound Energy’s(PSE) customers. PSE announced in March that Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) will provide renewable electricity generated … Read More
Wood products could turn urban areas into carbon sinks
Urban centers made primarily of sustainable, renewable wood products could be key to mitigating climate change and even function as carbon sinks, and Washington state and its working forests are helping to lead the charge. Vox recently reported that wood has become “the hottest new thing in sustainable building” and points to Washington state as a forerunner of mass timber … Read More
Shelton sets new Guinness World Record for most lit Christmas trees
The holiday spirit is abundant in downtown Shelton thanks to an ambitious vision from the Shelton-Mason Chamber of Commerce and support from caring residents, community volunteers and businesses who made it their mission this year to celebrate Mason County’s timber heritage. Shelton, fondly referred to as Christmastown USA, broke the Guinness World Record of most illuminated Christmas trees over the … Read More
Newly adopted Business Roundtable tenets reflect forestry industry long-held values
The Business Roundtable made headlines recently when it announced a new set of operating principles that shift from focusing solely on shareholders to creating an economy that serves all Americans. The declaration listed the need for corporations to redefine their mission to support communities, cultivate a strong and sustainable economy, and promote stewardship and a healthy environment. News publications like … Read More
Supporting family forests
Safeguarding our economy, environmental stewardship efforts and quality of life are dependent on family-owned forestlands, according to an opinion piece published in The Hill. Thomas Straka, a professor of forestry and environmental conservation at Clemson University in South Carolina, asserted that while much attention these days is focused on wildfires, policymakers also should be mindful of the critical role privately-owned … Read More
Working forest industry grows trees, jobs
Working forests play a vital role in supporting a healthy and diverse economy in our state, according to a 2017 study that looked at the contributions of Washington’s timber industry. Washington state is the nation’s second-largest lumber producer. Forestry represents Washington state’s third-largest manufacturing industry, providing jobs in all 39 counties and impacting a whole host of economic activities, including forestry, logging, … Read More
Legislature recognizes value of working lands in new tax policy
One of the significant new tax policies coming out of this recent legislative session involves the real estate excise tax or REET. This is a tax paid by the seller of all real property. The rate has historically been flat. Which is to say, one rate applied to all sales regardless of the sale value. The Legislature has changed that with … Read More
Legislature Connects Dots Between Rural Economic Development, Environmental Outcomes
The environmental headlines of this past legislative session have focused on two big topics: orca whales and carbon emissions. The 2019 Legislature passed numerous high-profile bills to address these two seemingly disparate issues. E3SHB 1324 progressed well below the radar yet manages to marry both issues in a package that also helps secure Washington’s most extensive rural manufacturing base for … Read More