2025 Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Program

Background
The USDA Forest Service is announcing the availability of $20 million to provide financial assistance to facilities that purchase and process byproducts from ecosystem restoration projects in areas at risk of unnaturally severe wildfire or insect or disease infestation through funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

The intent is to substantially decrease the cost of conducting restoration projects involving vegetation removal on federal and Tribal lands and invest in surrounding communities. Funding priority will be given to entities seeking to establish, reopen, retrofit, expand, or improve a sawmill or other wood-processing facility that will utilize byproducts from projects on federal land, Tribal forestland, and Tribal rangeland identified as high priority for ecological restoration.

Grant Details
The grant supports facilities that purchase and process ecosystem restoration byproducts such as trees and woody biomass harvested through timber sales, thinning, hazardous fuels reduction treatments, or other management activities.

Eligible projects must procure approximately 50% or greater of raw materials from federal or Tribal lands. The facility must be in close proximity to these lands. Successful applicants will demonstrate how financial support will enable increased utilization of byproducts from ecosystem restoration projects and help reduce restoration costs. Funding is available for establishing, reopening, retrofitting, expanding, or improving wood-processing facilities.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include for-profit entities; state and local governments; Indian Tribes; school districts; communities; not-for-profit organizations; institutions of higher education; and special purpose districts.

Projects must benefit disadvantaged communities as defined by Executive Order 13985.

Period of Performance
The application deadline is December 18, 2024. Award announcements are expected in May 2025.

Grant Value
Total available funding is up to $20 million. Minimum request is $50,000 and maximum request is $1 million.

Place of Performance
Projects must be located in close proximity to federal or Tribal lands that are at risk for fire, insect, or disease.