The Oregon Mass Timber Coalition, led by the Port of Portland, will receive approximately $41.4 million to become a national leader in using mass timber to accelerate affordable housing production, provide good jobs, and restore forest health.

Oregon, according to the coalition, faces formidable threats from climate change and economic inequity, and a worsening housing shortage hampers efforts in small, rural towns to retain workers and employers.

The US Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) funding supports a series of targeted investments along the full value chain, starting with working with forest-dependent rural communities to grow access to wood fiber.

R&D projects by the University of Oregon and Oregon State University will lead the design and prototyping of new construction materials and products, and public testing facilities will certify that developed products meet fire and acoustic codes, paving the way for production and sale. Infrastructure improvements at the Port of Portland will create a site suitable for private investment in a Mass Timber Campus which will manufacture housing at scale, and the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development will ensure planning and development codes are primed to accommodate modular mass timber homes in rural and wildlife-impacted communities. EDA funds will also support a workforce development project that partners with industry, workforce boards, and labor organizations to provide training in industries related to these new wood-based products.

The Biden Administration is committed to supporting communities as they create pathways for sustainable economic development. For many rural communities in Oregon, timber is a vital industry key to jobs, housing, and the environment,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This investment will create new economic opportunities across Oregon to help it not only recover from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic but build back stronger and more equitably.”

“Sustainable economic development is among EDA’s key investment priorities,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “Today’s investment in the Oregon Mass Timber Coalition will help bolster business, create jobs, and improve quality of life in rural communities across Oregon.”

“This federal investment shows how Oregon continues leading the way in modernizing wood products, generating jobs and economic opportunities in communities statewide,” said Oregon Senator Ron Wyden. “I’m gratified that the Oregon Mass Timber Coalition has earned these resources from the American Rescue Plan for fresh approaches to our state’s signature timber industry. And I’ll keep fighting for similar investments in Oregon to support these valuable new sources for jobs and building materials.”

“Mass timber is an exciting innovation with huge untapped potential. Accelerating affordable housing production, providing good jobs, sequestering carbon, and restoring forest health will provide immense benefits for Oregonians as we seek to construct more energy efficient buildings for the future using all tools available to us,” said Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley. “I’m glad to see the federal government step up to support this quintessential Oregon project, bringing together a broad group of partners to address multiple challenges at once with an innovative solution that will support jobs in our woods, our timber mills, and our cities alike.”

“Congratulations to the Oregon Mass Timber Coalition on winning a $41.4 million grant through the Build Back Better Regional Challenge,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01). “The Coalition, an innovative partnership between government agencies and educational institutions, has worked tirelessly to advance mass timber production and to craft a plan to build affordable housing with mass timber. With this grant, the Coalition will contribute to better forest management, address the housing crisis, fight climate change, and create good jobs in rural as well as urban communities. It has been a pleasure to support the Oregon Mass Timber Coalition through this process, and I look forward to seeing all they will accomplish with this federal grant.”

“The Oregon Mass Timber Coalition is poised to play a critical role in solving our affordable housing crisis,” said Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03). “It’s also the key to a low carbon sustainable future based on Oregon’s forest products industry. I’m pleased the Biden Administration recognizes this. It is an exciting development, and I’m looking forward to tracking the progress with the Port of Portland, Hacienda Community Development Corporation, and many others.”