WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Jim Risch (R-ID), co-chairs of the Senate Working Forests Caucus, are introducing bipartisan legislation to improve forest industry employment and participation through a grant program aimed at rural and underserved communities. The Jobs in the Woods Act would support developmental programs designed to better equip and train the forest products workforce for careers with the U.S. Forest Service and timber industries. Nationally, the forest products industry employs roughly 925,000 people directly and supports nearly 2 million jobs indirectly. In Maine, the industry supports nearly 14,000 jobs across the state.

“Maine’s forestry industry has been foundational for our state economy for generations, and we want to sustain it for generations to come,” said Senator King. “As the industry continues to evolve, we must ensure our forestry workforce has the proper training and skills to help responsibly manage our forests while strengthening our local economies. The bipartisan Jobs in the Woods Act is commonsense legislation that will invest in new and innovative workforce programs — helping Maine people get quality, good-paying jobs and securing the future of our state’s iconic timber industry.”

“A robust and skilled workforce is critical to Idaho’s forest and economic health,” said Senator Risch. “My Jobs in the Woods Act will equip rural communities to build up the timber industry with educational and training programs to ensure Idaho continues to effectively manage our forests and prevent catastrophic wildfires for years to come.”

"The Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast applauds Senator King for sponsoring and introducing the Jobs in the Woods Act and we fully support this important legislation at a critical time for the logging industry,” said Dana Doran, Executive Director of the Professional Logging Contractors Northeast. “Our existing logging and forest trucking workforce is aging, and targeted workforce education and training programs are needed to provide pathways to good paying careers in the woods to ensure the industry's future. Opportunities are strong for the next generation, particularly in the rural areas where this legislation would have the greatest impact."

 “A strong, economically viable forest products industry depends on a healthy wood supply chain — and that starts with a skilled, supported workforce. The Jobs in the Woods Act invests in workforce development and education in rural, forest-based communities,” said Tim O’Hara, Forest Resources Association President. “By supporting training programs focused on forestry-related careers, this legislation creates pathways for the next generation to pursue meaningful careers in forestry, logging, log transportation, sawmilling, and beyond — right in the communities they call home.”

The forestry and forest products industry relies on the strength and resilience of our rural communities and the rural economy. We need to ensure that this rural economy can persist and to do so we need a strong workforce with the skillsets that can sustainably support our forest,” said Alexander Ingraham, President of Pinetree Associates. “Workforce development is a critical need for these communities, the forest, and the forest products industry to sustain and thrive. The Jobs in the Woods Act sets a pathway towards a thriving workforce and a sustainable rural economy.

The Jobs in the Woods Act is cosponsored by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jim Crapo (R-ID), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tina Smith (D-MN) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator King is seen as a national leader in efforts to support Maine’s forest products industry. He also introduced the bipartisan Future Logging Careers Act to help train the next generation of Maine loggers. Previously, Senator King introduced the bipartisan Timber Innovation Act for Building Rural Communities Act to improve forest health and support Maine’s rural economy. He also introduced legislation to establish a “Future of Forests” panel tasked with making recommendations to secure the health of America’s forests. Senator King was key in establishing the Forest Opportunity Roadmap Maine (FOR/ME) Initiative, a participant-led initiative that is helping to diversify the state’s wood products businesses, attract investments, support research and development, and develop greater economic prosperity for rural communities impacted by mill closures.

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