PRINCETON, WVa—The U.S. Forest Service Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC) is taking applications for a special use permit to lease its rough mill facility and wood shop located in Princeton, WVa. Applications will be accepted through July 12.

The intent of the special use permit is to lease the facilities for light to medium manufacturing, preferably in the wood and forest products industry. WERC will consider other potential uses of the facilities such as education, warehouse space, and nonwood products industries.

The facilities include a 42,674-square-foot rough mill and 10,000-square-foot wood shop. Applicants can apply to lease either or both facilities. Both the rough mill and wood shop are well-equipped, modern facilities that have all the necessary electrical and dust collection systems in place.

The Forest Service will consider all proposals it receives; however, those that take advantage of nearby WERC and research facilities or contribute to the well-being of the local community will receive additional consideration.

Applicants need to indicate in the proposal if they are going to use the government-owned equipment in the facilities. The Forest Service will remove any equipment from the facility that is not included in the proposal. Applications must also include a business plan.

A 20-year special use permit will be issued to the selected applicant. The permittee can terminate the permit by providing a minimum 6-month advance notice to the Authorized Forest Service Official in a written letter.

For more detailed information about the facilities, equipment, and application process, contact WERC Director Steve Milauskas at [email protected] or call (304) 487–1510.

The Wood Education and Resource Center is located in Princeton, WVa. It is administered by the U.S. Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry. The Center works with the forest products industry on sustainable forest products production in the 35 States of the eastern hardwood forest region. WERC provides state-of-the-art training, technology transfer, networking opportunities, applied research, and information. Visit www.na.fs.fed.us/werc for more information.

Source: U.S. Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry