By Erin Kessler

In the last few months, several organizations have reached out to NELA for help in promoting grants, resources, and special assistance programs for loggers and wood products manufacturers. In these challenging economic times, when many businesses are hanging on by a thread, it’s important to remember that there is help out there – in the form of monetary assistance, training, and education to help improve profit margins.

Some examples include a Working Lands Enterprise Initiative grant that will become available to Vermonters this October – it’s a business enhancement grant that can be used to cover a range of things, from forestry equipment to logging supplies, mats and bridges to marketing and workforce development. Also, this fall, starting in October, are Forest Business School educational classes (limited spots) that teach business management skills. There are plenty more on the national level, too, including the free Wood Manufacturing Assistance Team, USDA Wood Innovations Grants, and incubators and marketing programs.

To aid in awareness of the many forest industry grants, we’ve compiled an inexhaustive list below of assistance programs and learning opportunities available for forestry businesses in the Northeast and Lake States regions.

Vermont

Working Lands Enterprise Initiative - Business Enhancement Grant
The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) opens its Business Enhancement Grant for Vermont Forestry Businesses in October. Grants for anywhere from $10,000-$50,000 can fund forestry equipment, supplies for logging in adverse weather or on tough ground, and much more. For more information and grant project planning support, contact [email protected] or (802) 917-2637. More information about WLEI is available here →

Vermont and PLC - SloCamp
Vermont is offering a new grant opportunity for logging contractors. Funding is available to support proactive water quality practices across the state. Eligible contractors can receive up to $30,000 per project, up to three projects funded, and a maximum of $90,000 per applicant. Funding supports work like hardening of truck roads and landings, skid trail improvements, and stream crossings – all aimed at improving water quality and site access before the harvest begins. Learn more and apply →

Michigan

Michigan Master Logger Certification Program Offers $500 for Michigan Loggers to Complete Audits
The Michigan Master Logger Certification Program (MIMLC) has launched Master Loggers for Clean Water, a new USDA Forest Service-funded initiative rewarding responsible logging practices that protect Michigan’s streams, wetlands, and other water resources. Certified or applying Michigan Master Loggers may be eligible for $500 in financial assistance to help cover the time and cost of completing an on-site audit, if their current timber sale includes a water feature and follows Michigan’s Best Management Practices (BMPs). This funding supports sustainable timber harvesting and recognizes loggers who meet high standards for safety, business, and environmental care. Contact Michigan Master Logger Coordinator for more information: (989) 390-2559, [email protected].

Regional

Northern Forest Center – “Telling Your Forest Story” Wood Marketing Program
Looking for a competitive edge with your marketing that captures the story behind your product? This marketing workshop series is geared specifically to wood products businesses looking to create and fine-tune their stories. This online workshop series is designed to help you better understand and incorporate your wood-origin story into your business philosophy and marketing messaging. The series will cover and connect you with experts on: branded marketing, wood and wood flows from the forest, forest stewardship, forest product and chain of custody certifications, and consumer perceptions of wood and wood products.

This class consists of six online sessions, Tuesdays, September 9, 2025 through October 14, 2025, 10:00 – 11:30 AM (90 minutes). All sessions will be via ZOOM. Learn more here. Available to residents of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. Learn more  →

National

Forest Business School – Business Essentials and Linchpin Programs
VTFBS is recruiting for their 2025-26 sessions starting in October 2025. There are a limited number of slots available for mid-career small business owners in their six-month Business Essentials program.

If you are a key employee of a forest products firm, other rural enterprise or a public agency, their new Linchpin program might be for you. The program distills the business owner program to develop instruction in key mindsets and accountability for top employees.

To apply for either of these free opportunities, send an email to [email protected] include a few details about your business, work situation and background. Learn more here  →

NEC – Ideas That Work Incubator
The Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety (NEC) has opened applications for the second round of funding through its IdeasThatWork Incubator. If you have an innovative idea to improve the health and safety of farmers, loggers, or commercial fishermen working in the US, this is your opportunity to turn that idea into a reality. You must be a United States citizen residing in the United States to apply. There are no other eligibility requirements. Learn more and start your application here  →

US Endowment for Forestry and Communities – Wood Manufacturing Assistance Team
The Wood Manufacturing Assistance Team provides expert technical assistance free of charge. No grant application process is required and the program is open to wood manufacturing facilities across the US, including sawmills, pellet mills, biomass processors, and other wood-using operations – especially those engaged in primary processing and utilizing wood sourced from active forest management.

For facilities considering a wood energy project, a Wood Energy Technical Assistance Team is available to help public and private sector facility owners evaluate and develop community-scale projects that utilize woody biomass for heat energy or for both heat and power. Read more about the program in Eric Kingsley’s recent FRA post and here →

USDA – Wood Innovations Program Grants
Sustainably sourcing wood to make products helps to make our forests healthier and our communities more prosperous. The Forest Service invests in local wood economies through its grant programs. These grants support innovation, expand wood energy markets, and promote wood as a sustainable building material. The deadline for grant applications is usually in December, but no information has been posted online yet. Learn more about the program and past recipients here →

If you know of other forest industry grants or programs not listed there, please reach out to Erin Kessler ([email protected]) so we can add them to the list!