Washington Ramps Up Timber Investment
Originally Published by: HBS Dealer — October 24, 2025
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Governor Bob Ferguson recently directed the Washington State Department of Commerce to make two awards totaling $450,000 from the Governor’s Economic Development Strategic Reserve Fund (SRF) to support lumber-centric projects.
Mercer Mass Timber is upgrading its 270,000-square-foot facility in Spokane. (Image via Mercer Mass Timber)
The Clallam County Economic Development Council will use $200,000 to make infrastructure improvements at the Forks Industrial Park. Riverside Forest Products USA is developing a sawmilling facility at the site.
Meanwhile, Greater Spokane Inc. received $250,000 to help expand a manufacturing facility in Spokane Valley, where Mercer Mass Timber LLC is building an additional assembly space for secondary manufacturing.
Revenue for the SRF comes from unclaimed lottery prize money. The funds are intended to attract and retain jobs and economic investment in Washington.
"The Strategic Reserve Fund is a key resource for boosting economic growth and keeping Washington an attractive place for businesses," said Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn. "With these funds, we can take care of important infrastructure needs, support local businesses, and create sustainable jobs that benefit our communities across the state."
New sawmilling facility coming to Forks
Forks will increase lumber production thanks to a $200,000 award to the Clallam County Economic Development Council. The council will work with Riverside Forest Products USA to improve electrical infrastructure at the Forks Industrial Park, including trenching, conduit installation, and vault placement for power lines at the City of Forks Industrial Park.
“This investment marks a significant win for Forks and will launch a new exciting chapter for the local economy,” said Colleen McAleer, executive director of the Clallam County Economic Development Council.
The facility will produce kiln-dried hemlock and green Douglas fir lumber, which are ready for construction. The Clallam County location will also reduce transport costs and support other industries, such as logging and trucking.
Riverside Forest Products USA will be a key tenant in the industrial park, and other businesses will benefit from the infrastructure improvements.
“Having this facility land in Forks will provide a significant boost to the local and state economy,” said Nguyễn. “It integrates well with the area’s forest industry history and helps a rural and underserved community. We look forward to supporting Riverside Forest Products USA as they launch their operations.”
Spokane Valley timber manufacturer connects Washington lumber to other states
Greater Spokane Inc. received $250,000 to support Mercer Mass Timber LLC's expansion in Spokane Valley. The funding aided in engineering, permitting, and installing assembly line infrastructure at the secondary manufacturing space.
The SRF award complements a $30 million private investment, expected to create approximately 50 new jobs at the 270,000-square-foot facility.
“This investment ensures our region remains at the forefront of advanced manufacturing and sustainable building innovation,” said Joey Gunning, director of economic development at Greater Spokane Inc. “By supporting Mercer Mass Timber, we are not only securing high-quality local jobs but also strengthening our forest products industry and construction sector supply chains. This project keeps new market opportunities anchored here in our region, creating ripple effects that benefit both rural communities and urban centers across the state.”
Mercer Mass Timber transforms locally sourced wood into engineered products that can replace carbon-intensive materials in construction.
According to Mercer representative Brent Olson, the funding is instrumental for Mercer’s innovation and product diversification.
“With this support, we’ve advanced critical certification efforts, unlocked new market opportunities, and laid the foundation for next-generation manufacturing workflows,” Olson said. “These investments enhance our competitive advantage and support sustained job growth and deeper economic impact across the greater Spokane region.”
The expansion enhances Washington’s forestry, manufacturing, and sustainable building sectors, accounting for about 30% of North American mass timber manufacturing capacity.
“Retaining this expansion in Spokane Valley adds high-wage manufacturing and engineering positions,” Nguyễn said. “It results in additional private capital investment that supports local economic development and reinforces the state’s forest sector and clean building goals.”