USDA Launches New Program to Support Wood Processing Facilities and Reduce Wildfire Threats
Mason County, WA – December 31, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has unveiled the Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program (TPEP), a groundbreaking initiative designed to bolster wood processing facilities while addressing wildfire risks. In partnership with the USDA Forest Service, this program aims to process and utilize wood products from National Forest System lands, improving forest health and mitigating the impact of wildfires, insects, and disease on rural communities and critical infrastructure. Funded through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, TPEP is a key component of the administration’s efforts to build a more sustainable, resilient future for rural America.
Program Details
USDA Rural Development and the Forest Service will provide $220 million in loan guarantees to support:
Establishing, reopening, retrofitting, expanding, or improving wood processing facilities, sawmills, and paper mills.
Projects utilizing trees harvested from federal and Tribal lands.
Applications for TPEP opened on December 26, 2024, with a maximum loan amount of $25 million. Interested applicants are encouraged to use the TPEP Dashboard to identify priority areas where wildfire, pest, and disease risks are significant.
Applications must be submitted electronically using Grants.gov and will be accepted until funds are expended.
Upcoming Webinar
To learn more about the program, join the TPEP webinar on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. PT. This session will provide insights into the application process and key priorities for project proposals.
USDA’s Key Priorities for TPEP
Applicants are encouraged to align their projects with the following priorities:
Reducing climate pollution: Enhance resilience to climate change impacts through economic support for rural communities.
Promoting equity: Ensure all rural residents have access to USDA Rural Development programs.
Boosting economic recovery: Strengthen rural infrastructure and create better market opportunities.
Learn More
For additional information, visit the USDA Rural Development website at www.rd.usda.gov.
This initiative reflects the USDA’s commitment to fostering sustainable development in rural communities. To explore the full USDA press release, visit USDA.gov.
