Supports business development and workforce development projects that build a resilient forest sector. Since 2022 the program has awarded more than $100 million to over 100 projects.
The workforce category funds universities, colleges, government and community organizations and businesses to increase workforce capacity in fuels treatment, forest operations, forest-sector transportation and manufacturing, and related support services. Qualifying projects generally provide recurring training to successive cohorts and may award institutionally recognized training certificates.
Up to $24 million was available to wood products projects in the last round, with a further $4 million for tree nursery operations. That round closed 25 April 2026.
This is the right vehicle for a standing North County fuels crew training pipeline, and it is phase two rather than phase one. It will want to see a crew, a curriculum and an employer already in place, which is what a fuels grant under card 20 or card 21 delivered through card 50 would produce.