Advancing Pennsylvania's Forest & Wood Products Industry Strategy

Pennsylvania’s forest and wood products industry is a vital economic driver, supported by rich natural resources, skilled workers, and sustainable forest management. Facing challenges such as workforce shortages, declining markets for low-grade wood, volatile trade conditions, and supply chain bottlenecks, twelve statewide partners came together to create a strategic plan for the industry’s future. Workforce Solutions for North Central PA was proud to serve as the fiscal and procurement agency for this study and provide key workforce data and insights—an effort that could not have been accomplished without the commitment of all partners.

The strategy focuses on four priorities to strengthen and grow the industry:

• Capture emerging market opportunities – Foster innovation, launch a forest business accelerator, and advance new technologies.

• Build the talent pipeline – Diversify the workforce, engage the next generation, and support succession planning.

• Expand trade – Increase targeted international outreach and leverage trade show participation.

• Address supply chain weaknesses – Improve export logistics, traceability, and transportation connections.

We invite you to explore the full documents below for detailed findings, data, and recommendations that will guide the future of Pennsylvania’s forest and wood products industry.