2nd National Extension Nat Res Conference-Abstract 64

Bob Smith, Virginia Tech, 1650 Ramble Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061; 540-231-5876; Rsmith4@vt.edu; and Tom Hammett, Virginia Tech, Room 210 Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061

The forest products industry is vital to the economies of many rural communities. Yet, most economic development professionals know little of forest practices or the importance of this sector to their state?s economy. Unfortunately, economic developers are often evaluated on attracting multi-national corporations that employ large numbers of individuals. This is not what most forest product?s communities are attempting to accomplish with growth in this sector. Much of the current forest product?s growth is toward value-added processing within the state. Secondary wood processing creates new jobs and products without increasing the harvesting of timber, thus sustaining our forest resources. It is imperative that the economic development community understands the importance of the wood products industry to their state?s economy, and be willing to work with local manufacturers when considering expansion into value-added opportunities. The first step in this procedure is to fully evaluate the current needs of the economic development community and develop programming to fit these needs.

In 1998 a statewide effort was conducted in Virginia to evaluate the training needs of the economic development community. A team of individuals from the Department of Wood Science at Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech?s Public Service Division, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance, the Virginia Department of Forestry, the Virginia Department of Agriculture, and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership was convened to conduct this evaluation. A questionnaire was developed and mailed to over 450 economic developers throughout Virginia. Nearly 60% of the respondents indicated that the forest products industry was not a targeted area for economic development and only 7% had ever been involved in targeted training for forestry or wood products. Respondents indicated that training was needed in the subject areas of the local forest resource, value-added opportunities, finances available for the industry, new products, and technology.

This research effort led to the development of 2-day conferences held in southwestern Virginia and Central Virginia targeted to economic developers. Southwest Virginia was targeted due to the current depressed economic condition and the strong interest in expanding the wood products industry. Central Virginia was targeted due to the increased interest in secondary manufacturing in the area. The course content included understanding the forest resource, primary and secondary manufacturing, non-timber forest products and included tours of a sawmill, flooring manufacturer, and a furniture company. The second day included the subject areas of financing, exporting, labor, and training issues. Over 40 individuals participated in the Southwestern Virginia workshop during the 2 days. It is our belief that only through targeted training will the economic development community realize the importance of the forest and forest products industry to local economies and that it is the responsibility of Cooperative Extension to provide the necessary training to these individuals.