{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-applaud-initiative-to-revitalize-and-diversify-forestry-industry", "Collins, King Applaud Initiative to Revitalize and Diversify Forestry Industry", "2018-09-25", "2018", "2018-09", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C.  Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins\r\n(R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine), a cofounder of the Working Forest Caucus,\r\napplauded an action plan released by the Forest Opportunity Roadmap (FOR/Maine)\r\nInitiative to grow Maine's forest economy and increase economic prosperity in\r\nrural communities. Supported by funding from the U.S. Economic Development\r\nAdministration (EDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Maine\r\nTimberlands Charitable Trust, the industry-led initiative rolled out a plan to\r\ndiversify the state's wood products businesses, attract investments, and\r\ndevelop greater economic prosperity for rural communities impacted by mill\r\nclosures. The FOR/Maine Coalition includes a strategic plan to grow Maine's\r\nforest economy by 40% by building on traditional industry strengths like saw\r\nlogs and paper, and add new layers of innovative products  including\r\neco-friendly chemicals, bio-degradable plastics, and medical and technical\r\nproducts made from nanocellulose  which can be made from the residuals of\r\nother wood manufacturing processes.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMaine's forests continue to be a\r\nvital part of our state's economy, said Senators Collins and King in a\r\njoint statement. The FOR/Maine Initiative is the product of collaboration\r\nbetween industry and community leaders, the Economic Development\r\nAdministration, and all levels of government, and the resulting recommendations\r\nwill support job creation and economic growth in our rural communities. We\r\napplaud the Forest Opportunity Roadmap partners for their hard work,\r\ncreativity, and steadfast commitment to strengthening the future of the forest\r\neconomy in our state, and we look forward to continuing to support their\r\nefforts to help Maine's forest economy thrive for generations to come.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFOR/Maine outlines five goals to\r\nbuild a more diverse forest economy:\r\n\r\n\r\nInvest,\r\nInnovate, Grow\r\n- Sustain and grow Maine's existing and emerging forest products economy. \r\n\r\n\r\nManage\r\nSustainably -\r\nManage the wood resource using sustainable and responsible forest management\r\npractices.\r\n\r\n\r\nDevelop\r\nWorkforce -\r\nPrepare workforce for the future of the forest products economy. \r\n\r\n\r\nSupport\r\nCommunities -\r\nIncrease prosperity in Maine forest economy communities, especially those in\r\nrural areas and those affected by mill closures. \r\n\r\n\r\nCoordinate\r\n& Persist -\r\nOrganize the\r\nforest products industry with committed public sector partners, including the\r\nUniversity of Maine, to implement the vision and goals. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe EDA leads the federal economic\r\ndevelopment agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's\r\nregions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. As an agency within\r\nthe Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed\r\ncommunities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American\r\ninnovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/collins-king-applaud-initiative-to-revitalize-and-diversify-forestry-industry"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.075385767966509, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}