Maine bets on forest products

In Maine, advocates for the state’s forest products industry are aiming for 30% growth in five years, to reach $8 billion in sales by 2025.  The  Forest Opportunity Roadmap/Maine coalition is now implementing measures after gathering data and evaluating options. 

 “We’re looking at some of these technologies and we’re actually entertaining CEOs of companies who are coming to Maine and saying, ‘Where might your ideas fit our forest economy and add to diversify and strengthen in existing operations and/or new operations?’” says Steve Schley, chair of the FOR/Maine executive committee, in a press statement. 

The group said in late 2019 that it aimed to attract new investment, undertake promotion of Maine’s capabilities, and to develop plastics and chemicals made from waste from the state’s pulp industry.  

The plan will benefit Maine by diversifying its forestry industry and adding jobs.