New federal relief will provide $200M for logging industry

The logging industry has seen a steep decline in demand for wood fiber since the pandemic began, leading to an estimated 20% drop in the timber harvest this year. But federal help may be on the way.  Beginning Thursday, the Loggers Relief Act makes $200 million available for logging and log hauling businesses that have […]

RFP: Timber Harvesting Equipment Transportation Efficiency Study

Issue Date: June 15, 2021Closing Date: July 2, 2021 Purpose of the RFP Existing regulations currently prohibit the movement of oversized timber harvesting equipment and oversized low-beds at night in most of the state. The FOR/Maine Transportation Committee is seeking proposals for a study to be completed that will consider the feasibility of expanding the […]

Ashland looks to generate investment around new forest industry product

May 14, 2021 By Maureen Milliken The town of Ashland is launching a development program, Original Mass Timber Maine, that aims to build markets for structural round timber, a low-cost and carbon-friendly building product that is a perfect fit for the state’s forest industry, those behind the initative say. The three-year project, funded by a grant to […]

Mainers have little awareness about full range of forest products industry, survey shows

A public survey released Thursday shows Mainers are generally bullish about the future of the state’s forest products industry, but have little awareness of how it’s changing. Of nearly 500 survey respondents throughout the state, 80% would recommend Maine students consider a forest-related job. FOR/Maine, a public-private coalition promoting the forest products industry, conducted the […]