The U.S. Forest Service will be awarding $80 million in Wood Innovation Grants, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced earlier this week.

The grants are intended to “spur woods products manufacturing, expand active forest management, and accelerate energy innovation across America’s timber-producing communities,” a press release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture read.

The grant program was initially launched in 2015.

Shannon Carroll, director of communications and government affairs for Idaho Forest Group, said the funding “ultimately supports the long-term management of forest lands” and has positive implications for North Idaho’s wood products industry.

“This funding is a strong signal that Secretary Rollins recognizes the essential role that the wood products industry plays in not only forest stewardship, but in job creation and building resilient rural economies as well,” Carroll said.

There are three ongoing projects in Idaho funded in part by Wood Innovation Grants, two of which are taking place at the University of Idaho. 

One is exploring commercial construction using heavy timber, while the other involves microturbine power generation. Each received $250,000 in federal funding.

The announcement follows an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on March 1 calling for the “immediate expansion of American timber production,” and a directive from Rollins to the Forest Service to “ramp up” active forest management in national forests.

“This investment delivers on President Trump’s commitment to unleashing America’s abundant natural resources by tearing down unnecessary barriers,” the press release read.

The USDA in May also pledged $23 million in grants for transporting “hazardous fuels,” such as dead or downed trees, from national forest land to processing facilities.