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USK - The Port of Pend Oreille has been awarded a pair of grants, it announced in news releases, one from the federal government for a feasibility study and one from the state for railroad crossing work.
The Port received a $100,000 grant from the USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations Program to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for a Value-Added Wood Manufacturing Facility at the Wolfred Industrial Park in rural Northeast Washington.
The project will evaluate the development of a facility that would process forest residues - including bark, chips, and slashinto high-value mulch and landscaping products. This innovative approach addresses the challenge of low-value biomass disposal while creating new economic opportunities for the region and supporting wildfire risk reduction efforts.
“This grant represents a significant opportunity to advance forest health, create jobs and strengthen our rural economy,” said Kelly Driver, Executive Director of the Port of Pend Oreille, in a press release. “The feasibility study will provide the technical and economic analysis needed to move forward with a value-added wood product facility.”
The Port of Pend Oreille is providing half of the required $100,000 match and received $50,000 of 0.09 Economic Development Funds from Pend Oreille County to complete the federal grant’s matching requirements. This local support demonstrates the community’s commitment to sustainable economic development and forest stewardship, Jessica Garza, the Port’s Economic Development Director said in the news release announcing the grant.
Project Details The 12- to 24-month feasibility study will include:
• Infrastructure Planning: Developing preliminary site layout, utility planning and cost estimates
• Facility Design: Creating process flow diagrams, equipment specifications and 50% design drawings
• Environmental and Permitting Strategy: Outlining regulatory requirements and permit pathways
• Implementation Roadmap: Providing a comprehensive plan for facility development and funding The project is expected to create 10-20 full-time jobs once operational, while supporting additional employment in logging and transportation sectors. By providing a commercial outlet for biomass generated from fuel reduction and forest restoration projects, the facility will help reduce open burning, lower emissions, and improve air quality.
“This project aligns perfectly with the USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations Program goals by expanding markets for wood products from forest residues, promoting forest health, and supporting wildfire risk reduction,” Garza said.
The Port will leverage existing site infrastructure, including rail and utilities, along with prior investments in regional economic development to maximize the impact of the federal funding. The project will also position Pend Oreille County for future investment and job creation in the forest products sector.
The USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations Program supports the development and expansion of markets for wood products, promoting forest stewardship, rural economic development, and community resilience, according to the news release. The program prioritizes projects that utilize forest residues, support forest health and create sustainable economic opportunities in rural communities.
In the other grant, state regulators approved $25,000 in funding from the Grade Crossing Protective Fund to support safety improvements at the Highway 20 railroad crossing near Usk.
The project, led by the Port and its Pend Oreille Valley Railroad, will reconstruct the rural crossing where Highway 20 meets the tracks. The upgrades will address long-standing safety concerns, including a deep dip in the roadway and poor drainage that create hazards for drivers, school buses, snowplows, and emergency responders.
The total project cost is $150,000, with the Port of Pend Oreille contributing $125,000. The Port and POVA expect construction to occur in summer 2026. The project should take about six to eight weeks to finish, with around one week of actual on-site construction. During this time, the Port will work closely with Pend Oreille County, Washington Department of Transportation officials, and others to avoid traffic disruptions, according to the news release.
