Jobs in the Woods Act

Key Points

• The bill creates a new grant program to help people get trained for jobs in the forestry and wood products industries. The Department of Agriculture would give out money to schools, local governments, and nonprofits to run these training programs.
• Grants would range from $500,000 to $2 million and last for up to four years. The program focuses on rural areas with fewer than 50,000 people that are considered low-income and have reliable internet access.
• The goal is to help younger people find good jobs in their home communities and replace older workers who are retiring. Programs that partner with high schools or community colleges to help students find jobs after graduation will get first priority for the funding.
• Congress would set aside $10 million every year from 2026 through 2030 to pay for these grants. This money is meant to ensure that rural towns have the skilled workers they need to keep their local timber and wood businesses running.

Impact Analysis

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