2024 Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program

The USDA Forest Service is delivering the Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program to support forest health and stimulate local economies by expanding renewable wood energy use and innovative wood products manufacturing capacity. The program aims to achieve three main goals: expand thermally led community wood energy or innovative wood product opportunities, improve forest health, and stimulate local economies. Eligible applicants include non-profits, local, state, and tribal governments, businesses, companies, corporations, institutions of higher education, and special purpose districts. The program will award up to $6 million in total awards, with a maximum of $1 million per award. • Eligible projects include installing thermally led community wood energy systems, purchasing and installing manufacturing equipment, expanding sawmills, and producing biofuels from forest residues. • Leveraged funds are required, and applicants must contribute the remaining funds necessary to complete the project. • The program has a focus on shovel-ready projects that will not require additional funding or time to complete after the award period.