As a heritage industry for Maine, the Forest products industry is adapting to changing market trends to maintain the state’s leading role in the global economy. Efforts such as wood technology innovation are driving new job creation and the baseline for sustainable growth.
DECD has commissioned numerous Forestry and Forest Products Industry Profiles. Read the Market Profiles and other Industry Research here
Resources
FOR/Maine - Stay up-to-date on Maine's Forest Opportunity Roadmap, a collaborative plan to ignite Maine's emerging forest products economy through traditional and innovative technologies. The vision: to grow Maine's forest products industry by 40%, and reach $12 Billion in economic impact by 2025.
Maine Forest Products Council is the voice of Maine’s forest economy, representing the diverse needs of Maine’s forest products community.
Maine Forest Service works to ensure that the trees and forest lands of Maine will continue to provide benefits for present and future generations of Maine people.
Maine Professional Logging Contractors of Maine is Maine’s only trade association which exists to give independent logging contractors and sole proprietors a voice in the rapidly changing forest industry.
Northern Forest Center Board Forum - Bring your experience and knowledge to the table and engage with industry peers about business ideas and concepts, common challenges, effective strategies, and more. Learn about the multitude of collaborative opportunities within the forest products industry here.
Transformational Innovation for Wood Manufacturers - Upgrade the way you operate, plan, and manage your business with the Northern Forest Center's efficiency and profit-enhancing strategies. Additionally, the Center offers both financial and technical assistance to help companies who choose to innovate.
University of Maine
- Advanced Structures and Composites
- Forest Bioproducts Institute Technology Research Center - Expedite commercialization of forest bioproducts-based technologies, engage with UMaine faculty and industry members, and take advantage of top tier processing & analysis assistance with the Forest Bioproducts Institute's Technology Research Center in Old Town, ME.
- Process Development Center offers a broad range of technical services and resources for clients both in traditional pulp and paper and in emerging process technologies and materials science.
- School of Forest Resources provides excellence in education, research, and public service that promotes the understanding, efficient use and sustainable management of forest resources.
- UMaine's Maine Mass Timber Commercialization Center - Various state and regional industry stakeholders are brought together here to reinvigorate and innovate Maine's forest economy. Click here to learn more about what the Commercialization Center offers, as well as well as discover other forest products services from UMaine's Advanced Structures and Composites Center.
Grants & Loans
Maine Technology Institute (MTI)
MTI offers grants, loans, equity investments, and services to support Maine’s innovation economy. They support new ideas, products, and methods with the potential to grow and diversify Maine’s economy and increase the number of quality jobs throughout the state through direct support of innovators, programs, and infrastructure that encourage innovation.
Northern Border Regional Commission Regional Forest Economy Program (FEP) - NBRC offers the Forest Economy Program (RFEP) grant competition periodically. For more information, visit the NBRC website.
SBIR/STTR Technical Assistance Program (TAP) - If you’re in need of high-risk, early stage technology financing, MTI’s TAP program offers funding and technical assistance to help you craft your winning proposal for SBIR/STTR funding.
USDA Wood Innovations Program
The Wood Innovations Grants Program, launched in 2015, stimulates, expands, and supports U.S. wood products markets and wood energy markets to support the long-term management of National Forest System and other forest lands.