CAL FIRE Business and Workforce Development Grant

Funder: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)

The CAL FIRE Business and Workforce Development initiative aims to foster a sustainable wood products industry in California. It supports projects that enhance business and workforce development in areas such as wood processing, bioenergy, and forest management. This program encourages the adoption of clean technologies and innovative practices, ultimately striving to create resilient forests and a skilled workforce that can contribute to the state's ecological and economic health.

Business and Workforce Development Grants are funded, in part, through California Climate Investments, which uses billions of Cap-and-Invest dollars to fund projects that reduce harmful emissions, protect public health, strengthen local economies, and support natural environments. With a strong focus on communities most impacted by pollution and limited access to resources, California Climate Investments help build a more equitable and sustainable future. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov. CAL FIRE reserves the right to fund projects, in total or in part, with the funding source of their choice. Project applicants that are selected to receive an offer for partial funding will be provided an opportunity to revise their proposal, as needed.
The Wood Products and Bioenergy Team (Wood Products) is part of CAL FIRE’s Climate and Energy Program. Wood Products awards funding for California business and workforce development projects that support healthy resilient forests and the people and ecosystems that depend on them. Wood Products has three primary areas of responsibility, including existing and emerging technologies:
Business Development, including solid wood and biomass processing and manufacturing, in-woods operations, and tree nurseries.Bioenergy Business and Workforce Development, including forest bio-material power generation and biofuels for domestic use and export.Forest-related Workforce Development, including in-woods, transportation, and manufacturing.
CAL FIRE Wood Products supports the creation of a robust and diversified wood products industry to facilitate the economic and sustainable management of California’s forests. Grants can make California a more competitive place to conduct forest-sector business. Grants can also create financial incentives for industries to invest in clean technologies, develop innovative ways to process wood products, and support the growth of a strong forest-sector workforce.