Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program (TPEP)

Funder: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development and Forest Service

Funding Source: President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Total Program Funding: $220 million in loan guarantees

Geographic Scope: Rural areas (focus on federal and Tribal lands)

Focus Areas:

• Supporting wood processing facilities
• Sawmills and paper mills
• Reducing wildfire threats
• Improving forest health
• Mitigating impact of wildfires, insects, and disease on rural communities
• Sustainable, resilient development for rural America
• Processing and utilization of wood products from National Forest System lands

Eligible Project Types:

• Establishing wood processing facilities
• Reopening wood processing facilities
• Retrofitting wood processing facilities
• Expanding wood processing facilities
• Improving wood processing facilities, sawmills, and paper mills
• Projects utilizing trees harvested from federal and Tribal lands

USDA Key Priorities:

• Reducing climate pollution: Enhance resilience to climate change impacts through economic support for rural communities
• Promoting equity: Ensure all rural residents have access to USDA Rural Development programs
• Boosting economic recovery: Strengthen rural infrastructure and create better market opportunities

Application Process:

• Applications must be submitted electronically using Grants.gov
• Applicants encouraged to use TPEP Dashboard to identify priority areas
• Accepted on rolling basis until funds expended

Webinar: January 6, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. PT (for program overview and application process)

Contact & Resources:

• Website: www.rd.usda.gov
• Additional Info: USDA.gov

Application Process

Submission Method: Electronic submission via Grants.gov

Key Steps:

1. Use TPEP Dashboard to identify priority areas where wildfire, pest, and disease risks are significant
2. Develop project proposal aligned with USDA key priorities
3. Submit application electronically through Grants.gov
4. Applications accepted on rolling basis until funds expended

Priority Considerations:

• Align projects with USDA priorities: climate pollution reduction, equity promotion, and economic recovery
• Focus on areas with significant wildfire, pest, and disease risks (identifiable via TPEP Dashboard)
• Demonstrate rural community economic impact

Webinar & Information Session:

• January 6, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. PT for insights into application process and key priorities