In Arizona and across the country, wildfires continue to intensify year over year. The federal government is rolling out a new program to support sawmills and other wood processing facilities close to high-priority forest restoration areas and tribal lands at high risk of wildfires.
Specifically, the Timber Production Expansion Program focuses on areas near national forests and tribal lands at high risk of wildfires.
Businesses can apply for up to $25 million to help build, upgrade or reopen sawmills and other wood processing facilities. And the Department of Agriculture would guarantee up to 90% of that loan.
According to the Department’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service, investing in wood processing facilities in high-risk areas would help thin out vegetation, lower ecological restoration costs and reduce wildfire danger.
The program is also backed by $200 million from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to accommodate for the associated increase in jobs that’s expected to follow.
Applications open on Dec. 26.
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