May 14, 2021 3:20 a.m.

Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have announced that over $1.6 million in federal funds that will support mass wood products production and affordable housing construction, is headed to Oregon through a program Merkley spearheaded in 2018.

Merkley said, “We have been working to establish Oregon as a hub for mass timber products, using local timber and bolstering our forest products economy”. Merkley said the pathway for federal grants are needed to strengthen this growing sector. He said that means Oregonians can continue to innovate, create jobs, and address the state’s critical affordable housing construction needs.

Wyden said the federal resources heading to Medford, Portland and Riddle will “…strengthen the bridge linking rural and urban Oregon, generating jobs and new economic opportunities that can increase the supply of affordable housing”. He said the investment in innovation uses for the state’s signature timber products is “…good news for Oregon’s economy and for families in our state and nationwide who very much need housing options that fit in their budget”.

The grants being allocated to companies including DR Johnson Wood Innovations in Riddle which will receive just over $47,000 to support the use of hem-fir trees for cross-laminated timber manufacturing.