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The Western North Carolina Forest Products Cooperative Marketing Project

As a result of the project, 14 Western North Carolina businesses received grants through a competitive process to expand into new product lines, improve marketing, and provide workforce training.  The goal is to ultimately provide an estimated total of 141 jobs.  Funding these businesses directly contributes to job growth in WNC, but also to the overall supply chain of forest products. 

The WNC Forest Owner's Resource Directory

Is a new online directory of forest management services and resources for owners of forestland in western NC. Submit your listing today!

WNC Forest Products Cooperative Marketing Project Videos

"Stimulus Stories of Western North Carolina," a collection of short videos highlighting the success of the WNC Forest Products Cooperative Marketing Project, was released in November.  The project provided funds and technical assistance to 15 local businesses and organizations to produce jobs and stimulate the economy of Western North Carolina (WNC). The business support was made possible by a $1.974 million American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) stimulus grant through the USDA Forest Service's Southern Research Station to LOSRC. The project generated jobs by helping forest producers improve their forest products marketing and production methods. 

"This has been a win-win partnership with Land-of-Sky and Western North Carolina communities.  The forest industry has been severely impacted by the economy and this project has led to over 160 jobs for under-or unemployed forest producers," said USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station Assistant Director Susan Fox.  "I believe these projects are creating momentum for the forest products industry and the economy of Western North Carolina." 

Stimulus Stories of WNC showcases the diverse group of forest enterprises participating in the Western North Carolina Forest Products Cooperative Marketing Project.  The companies have used the funds to expand and diversify their businesses.  Partner organizations have provided one-on-one technical assistance, marketing analysis, training, and critical business support. 

SFN’s Initial Project Report

The Southern Forests Network has produced a short report summarizing the role we played in the project.

Coming Soon:

The final project report is expected to be published in December.