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ISDA unveils strategy to grow the state’s hardwood industry

Indiana Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch has unveiled a new economic development strategy to grow the state’s hardwoods industry.

The Indiana Hardwood Strategy will be used to expand current and attract new wood processing facilities to the state.

Crouch says although Indiana is renowned in producing high quality hardwood timber, more than $230 million of sawmill products are coming from outside the state. She says the new strategy will help Indiana meet that demand.

ISDA Director Bruce Kettler says for every dollar invested on a finished wood product, an additional 80 cents is generated by companies that support the production process. He says the strategy will help take the industry to the next level.

The strategy will focus on business development, education, and marketing.

The hardwoods industry contributes more than $10 billion to Indiana’s economy and supports more than 70,000 jobs. Indiana’s hardwood exports totaled more than $250 million in 2017.

Crouch made the announcement at the annual Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association convention.