ESFPA E-News

Northern Border Regional Commission Announces 2023 Forest Economy Program Grant Round

The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) is pleased to announce the 2023 Forest Economy Program (FEP) grant application opportunity. With this program, the Commission intends to support the forest-based economy and to assist in the forest industry’s evolution to include new technologies and viable business models across the four-state NBRC region. Eligible organizations, which include nonprofit and governmental entities (state, local & Indian tribes), are now able to access a program overview of the FEP via NBRC’s website. The Commission will make up to $7 million in grants available, with a maximum award of $1 Million.

“There is an intrinsic link between the northern forest and the economic success of communities across the NBRC region. The program we are announcing today places a renewed focus on supporting businesses and communities in Northern New England and New York as they seek out new and innovative markets for wood products,” said NBRC Federal Co-Chair Chris Saunders.

Whether funded directly or through partnerships, funds will be awarded to support projects in the forest economy, which may include one (or multiple) of the following:

1.  Community development projects that support the diversified use of forests within the Northern Border Regional Commission’s service area for economic activity to include wood products and advanced materials manufacturing, as well as for other economic activity that utilizes northern border forests sustainably and demonstrates planning for climate resiliency.

2.  Workforce [re] training and development projects for the purpose of building the skills and recruiting and retaining the workforce needed for forest businesses.

3.  Marketing/communication and education projects that promote the environmental and climate benefits of forest management and forest products in ways that strengthen markets for wood products.

4.  Business planning and technical assistance projects that enhance the viability and sustainability of new and existing forest businesses.

5.  Public infrastructure projects that directly support the forest industry, and/or that demonstrate the use of wood-based products in public infrastructure.

Please refer to the 2023 Forest Economy Program Overview located on NBRC’s website for additional information including examples of projects that fit within the above categories.

Potential applicants must express interest through Letters of Interest (LOI) and will have two opportunities to submit: March 10^th, 2023 by 5pm, or September 15^th, 2023 by 5pm. LOIs will be evaluated by a 9-member Advisory Board, consisting of forest economy representatives from each of the four NBRC states. The Advisory Board will determine which applicants will be invited to submit a full application, due either April 28^th or November 3^rd, depending on when the Letter of Interest is submitted. Visit the NBRC website to view the full 2023 program timeline.

For those considering applications in 2023, please contact NBRC Forest Economy Program Manager Marina Bowie, the NBRC State Program Manager in the State(s) where the proposed project will take place, and/or a Forest Economy Program Advisory Board member (contact information available in the full press release below). These individuals will be happy to assist you as you develop your projects and applications.

New York's Energy Conversion Could Hit Pocketbooks Hard

From the Citizen Editorial Board

As New York state forges ahead with another branch of a wide-ranging plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, homeowners may find themselves up against a tight timeline to prepare to absorb enormous financial costs.

As part of an attempt to reduce fossil-fuel emissions by 85% by 2050, the state's Climate Action Council is recommending that new home construction eliminate all propane, gas and oil equipment for heating, cooling and hot water.

If approved by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state Legislature, that mandate would kick in in 2025, which is just a bit more than two years away. Existing homes would be allowed to continue using their current furnaces and appliances for awhile, but owners would be required beginning in 2030 to replace worn-out washers, dryers, stoves and home heating systems with products that aren't powered by fossil fuels.

In a similar way that the state plans to eliminate gasoline-powered vehicles in the future, the timeline for eliminating gas and oil for use in homes appears too aggressive.

A big reason so many homes have switched from electric heat to gas over the years is because electric heat is more expensive and less efficient, and legitimate questions are already being raised about the state's ability to supply enough electricity to power this plan and how much extra capacity the power grid will be able to handle should this changeover begin to take effect in large numbers.

While the proposed rules would be phased in over time, replacing heating systems and appliances is eventually going to cost homeowners a fortune, and at this point, the term "unfunded mandate" could not be more appropriate.

Cutting greenhouse gas emissions is a laudable goal, but generous grants and incentives for homeowners are going to need to be a long-term part of this plan if it is going to be realistically affordable for New Yorkers.

Fostering Forests is a Family Focus at B&B Forest Products

Jennifer DeFrancesco is a true advocate for sustainable forestry in our local communities. Her father, Bill Fabian started B&B Forest Products in Greene County over 35 years ago. Their business employs 38 people and serves as a marketing conduit for small, independent loggers to get their harvested logs to buyers across the country and around the world.

Jen wears many hats in the business, but is officially titled Export Manager. She always wanted to be part of the family business and has worked side by side with her parents and siblings since junior high school. She earned her degree in Small Business Management from the College of St. Rose in Albany and has been applying those skills to the business ever since.  Her two brothers and sister, as well as her Mom & Dad serve in various leadership and administration roles, from operations to forest management.

“It’s very difficult for independent loggers to get their harvests to the right customers by themselves”, Jen explains.  “A load of logs from a single property most always has multiple species of wood, with multiple levels of quality, all of which have different markets.  Buyers are looking to source logs of the same species in quantity, and a single logger may need months or even years to stockpile enough to fill an order alone. That’s where we come in.”

B&B Forest Products serves as a central depot where loggers can bring a load of various woods and get paid upon delivery.  The team at B&B grade and sort the logs and assemble them into shipments that fill standing orders from large manufacturers. Jen continuously cultivates relationships with buyers all over the world, and they know her personally as a reliable source for the types of wood they need to run their operations. B&B works with their logger-suppliers to identify opportunities to harvest the woods that are in demand by buyers, and handles all the shipping and delivery requirements to get logs to their destinations.

“People may be surprised to learn that a major international manufacturer of concert grand pianos only uses Catskill Mountain Hard Maple for their sound resonators, and sources it from B&B exclusively”, says Jen, who goes on to state that education of public is one of her primary challenges.  “In recent years, State and Federal legislators tend to label logging operations as bad for the environment”, she continues, “and to be sure, some corporate logging practices result in negative impacts, but that’s not how we do it here."

The loggers that utilize B&B to get their harvests to market often have long-term relationships with private property owners, helping them to manage not only the productivity, but overall health of their forest assets.  Jen’s husband, who is one of these loggers, refers to it as “Farming the Forest”. Over his career, he has fostered many of his client’s properties, harvesting the mature trees, and creating space for younger trees to flourish.  This type of small-scale stewardship is what makes logging sustainable in our natural environment, and provides a steady source of revenue for sellers, harvesters, and brokers.

Educating the public (and public officials) on the benefits of sustainable forestry operations like hers is a daily focus for Jen as she was elected Chair of the Board of Directors of the Empire State Forest Products Association in December of 2021.  Notably, she is the first woman to serve in that role since the association was established in 1906.

“It can be frustrating to see new legislation introduced and enacted with little or no thought to including New York’s Forestry Industry”, Jen admits, “especially when the intent of new policies and laws are to help address the effects of climate change.  Our industry relies on a healthy environment and predictable climate, and our insight and experience should be part of any efforts to protect both.”

FRA Webinar: 2022 Midterm Election Results and Implications

Tuesday, December 13th at 2:00 pm EST.

Join us this coming Tuesday for an engaging webinar on the 2022 Midterm Election results and the implications for the forest products industry. 

Hear from Congressman Bruce Westerman (R-AR-4) as he discusses House Natural Resources Committee priorities for the 118th Congress. The webinar will be led by Tim O’Hara, FRA Vice President of Government Affairs, and Pat Rita, FRA Consultant, Orion Advocates. Topics covered will be the results of the 2022 midterm elections for the House and Senate and what they mean for FRA members. Points of emphasis include a look at changes in leadership on key committees and what this could mean for FRA priorities.

This webinar will last one hour, including time for questions from participants, and has been approved for 1 category 1 CFE credit.