Logging funds sent to state businesses

Grants meant to decrease wildfires

KALISPELL – Nearly $200,000 in federal money has been funneled through state coffers to help private businesses and public programs that log young, small-diameter trees from Montana’s forests.

By MICHAEL JAMISON of the Missoulian

The money, doled out through the state Department of Commerce’s Economic Action Plan, comes down from the National Fire Program. That national program includes land managers at the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and other agencies.

The most recent round of government payments is aimed at developing new businesses or expanding existing businesses that use small-diameter logs. The idea behind the project is that small-diameter trees contribute to wildfire, and that encouraging their use will reduce the likelihood of forest fires.

In this, the third round of grants, a private business in Flathead County reaped the lion’s share, with $100,000 going to Artisans Doors and Millwork. The company will use the money to buy equipment and demonstrate its custom-door manufacturing processes.

Missoula County’s Seeley Lake Rural Fire District received $15,000 to produce a fire education video aimed at absentee homeowners in the Seeley-Swan corridor.

Pyramid Mountain Lumber Company Inc. received $33,656 to train employees.

Rosebud County’s Tongue River Lumber Co. received $25,000 to install equipment and reopen the mill. The mill closed in 2001, laying off more than 70 employees.

Sanders County received $25,000 to develop an interagency wildfire plan.

So far, the national program has handed out about $1.3 million in Montana.

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