ESFPA E-News Volume 3 - Issue 14
April 21, 2022
A round-up of our interesting stories from the past week.
It is Time to be Proactive – The CLCPA will affect your ability to get fuel, timber without permits, rights on your privately owned lands and will take your WOOD STOVE!
This is not an exaggeration. We can no longer sit back and hope someone else speaks up for us. Our members cannot rely solely upon the work of the Association staff or leaders. Everyone of us needs to speak up for ourselves –The various sectors of the forest products community are not acknowledge accurately in the Draft Scoping Plan. WE NEED TO TELL THEM! That is why there is a public comment period.
No one can do this for you.
YOU have to do this for your livelihood.
ESFPA has developed the mechanism and the talking points and the actual letter for each chapter relevant to our community – members and employees and family members need only “click”!
We need to be louder than our “green” counterparts who have mastered their digital grassroots advocacy – it’s the medium which the legislators use now and so must we.
Members must get involved. We can no longer say we are too busy, too tired, not tech savvy. We may work in an industry that is rural by nature, but our society at large – and those who make the decisions – are urban minded. We either meet this reality or we will lose.
ESFPA is preparing a series of OneClickPolitics advocacy campaigns. OneClickPoltics is our software which we launched over a year ago to enhance our ability to reach lawmakers. This can be done on your phone too!
We will have a campaign for each of the Scoping Plan Chapters which pertains to our industry.
This is the link to the AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY Campaign. Please keep an eye out for the next in the series next week!
We need each and every PERSON who relies on this industry to send in an email - your co-workers, employees, family and friends. These prewritten comment letters can be sent “as is” or they can be personalized within the software. Each campaign is set up by ESFPA to be sent to an individual’s local legislator – based on the address provided the first time the program is used – and to which ever governing body is responsible for that particular issue.
This process is simple and quick. If we all do not partake in every issue – whether there is a direct impact to your business or just the industry as a whole – we have no one to blame but ourselves when things do not go our way.
Do your part – take a moment and “click.” Campaigns will begin by next week.
If you have any questions, please contact Muriel Church at mchurch@esfpa.org or 518-463-1297.
The Northern Forest Center
2022 Forest Economy Survey
The Northern Forest Center is a nonprofit organization that creates bold possibilities that give rise to vibrant communities in across the Northern Forest region. NFC encourages and facilitates innovation in the forest-based economy through a portfolio of business assistance services. The objective of this work is to create, strengthen and sustain businesses that create markets for products and services from the Northern Forest landscape and provide well-paying, meaningful jobs and careers for Northern Forest residents.
The Center has a Vermont-based Business Innovation Advisor who works specifically with primary and secondary wood products manufacturers with ten or more employees and annual revenues of $1 million and up. Available services include but are not limited to financial management and planning; organizational development; sales and marketing; workforce development; developing new products; and other strategies necessary for business success. These services are delivered through 1:1 coaching and advising, connections to other specialized service providers, and a CEO peer advisory group.
NFC is conducting a survey and is looking for industry participation. This information will give insight into industry trends, challenges, and opportunities, and will help Amy and the Northern Forest Center shape programming that is most relevant to industry needs.
All the questions are optional; please answer those that apply to your type of business. Responses will be kept confidential.
Please follow this link to partake in the study.
FRA Woods to Mill Report: Main Street Businesses Challenges and Concerns
FRA recently participated in an event hosted by the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB). The event focused on the top concerns that small businesses are currently facing. A panel of small business owners expressed concerns over growing uncertainty in managing their business successfully. They cited increased regulations, uncertain tax policies, cost of supplies, and the ability to recruit skilled labor.
ESFPA is a member of NFIB. Please follow this link to the full article.
Hardwood Federation Spring Update
The Hardwood Federation has put together a spring update on National issues for the forest products industry. ESFPA is a member of HF. Please follow this link for the latest article.
LAL for Kids In the News
New York State Log-A-Load for Kids Chairperson, Mark Mowrey, recently presented a check from fundraising efforts for the Children's Miracle Network Hospital in Syracuse. The presentation was made on television - and we have a link! Take a moment to see how all the good will and donations our community provides to children in need!
DEC Audit Results Released
New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released an audit and report of the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s oversight on forest tax programs.
According to the audit, the DEC is failing to monitor private forest owners receiving 480 and 480-A special tax breaks.
The DEC agreed with most of the report, citing a lack of staff as one of the reasons for thousands of dollars in improper tax breaks. The department pointed out that local tax assessors were also not keeping track of the program. The department suggested legislation is needed to enhance its oversight.
To view an article in the Adirondack Explorer click here. To view the full report, click here.
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