Wood innovation projects that are focused on supporting and developing new and emerging wood utilization technologies and products to effectively manage forests and extend the most efficient and…

Federal Grant Award Summary

Ottawa Forest Products, Inc. received $885,000 in Project Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service's Wood Utilization Assistance program (CFDA 10.674), awarded July 10, 2025, with a completion date of December 31, 2029. The award supports wood innovation projects in Michigan focused on developing new and emerging wood utilization technologies and products. The funded initiative aims to improve forest management practices, expand forest product markets, and create sustainable economic opportunities for forest landowners and rural sawmill operations.

Through this grant, the awardee will advance forest health and market development by delivering technologies and products that enable more efficient and effective forest management. The project contributes to the broader Wood Utilization Assistance program objectives of reducing hazardous fuels, lowering forest management costs, and generating economic and environmental benefits to rural communities. By supporting market expansion for wood products and sustainable forest practices, the award aligns with national priorities for managing both federal and non-federal forest lands while strengthening the forest products industry and supporting rural economic development.

Wood innovation projects that are focused on supporting and developing new and emerging wood utilization technologies and products to effectively manage forests and extend the most efficient and effective economic opportunities to forest landowners, including supporting many sawmills in rural locations. These projects are expand forest product markets which enables both federal and non-federal land managers to sustainably manage the nations forests improving forest health and providing both economic and social benefits to rural communities and the nation.