USDA Announces $115.2 Million in Eight States to Capitalize on Timber Production and Protect our Communities from Devastating Wildfires

(Stevens Point, Wis. March 23, 2026) - U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development's Rural Business Cooperative Service Administrator J.R. Claeys announced $115.2 million across eight states through the Timber Production and Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program (TPEP), to ensure sawmills and other wood processing facilities have the necessary funding to establish, reopen, expand, or improve their operations. In Wisconsin, Delaneys Trees and Tires, LLC in Warrens and the Timber Professionals Cooperative Enterprises (TPCE) is receiving funding for projects.*

"We cannot allow wildfires to devastate and destroy our rural communities," said Claeys. "That's why the USDA is taking this bold action to stop the destruction of our forestlands by investing in sawmills and wood processing facilities that support sustainable timber harvesting. Through the announcement made today, the Trump Administration is strengthening local businesses, driving rural prosperity, and supporting 485 jobs for hardworking Americans."

"Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Rollins, USDA is committed to timber industry innovations that improve forest health and reduce wildfire threats while creating good-paying jobs for people in rural, forest-dependent communities in Wisconsin," State Director Andrew C. Iverson said. "The funding that is being announced nationally today will support projects in Wisconsin that are a win for Wisconsin's economy, consumers who want American-made products, and forest management."

• $1,660,000 loan to Delaneys Trees and Tires, LLC in Warrens, Wisconsin to expand their current timber processing operations by purchasing new and existing equipment as well as real estate. This will allow the company to pursue new opportunities and expand the scope of their operations, opening new income avenues. The project will create three jobs and save 12 jobs.
• $800,000 loan to Timber Professionals Cooperative Enterprises in Tilleda, Wisconsin to assist in re-opening a sawmill in Shawano County, Wisconsin. Timber Professionals Cooperative Enterprises will use guaranteed loan funds to purchase over 49 acres of real estate and equipment. The equipment will allow them to improve the efficiency of manufacturing wood chips. The project also includes plans to expand capabilities of the site to manufacture new, higher-value products from the same raw materials. The project will create six jobs, with additional staffing added as the sawmill expands.*

Today's announcement assists with recipients in the states of California, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Nevada, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

These investments represent a commitment by the Trump Administration to expand American timber production by 25%, reduce wildfire risk, and save American lives and communities by strengthening domestic wood processing capacity.

"The value of National Forest Systems lands is demonstrated by providing various forest products, such as timber, lumber, paper, bioenergy, and other wood products," said USDA Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. "The American forest products industry is critical to maintaining the health of the nation's forests. The Timber Production and Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program is one of many ways the Forest Service partners with the timber industry to maintain rural jobs, processing facilities, and an outlet for wood that needs to be removed from national forests."

The Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program is made possible by a partnership between the USDA Rural Development and US Forest Service. The program helps address the wildfire crisis by investing in local sawmills that clear out dangerous fuel in our forestlands, helping to remove the most immediate threats to communities, critical infrastructure, and natural resources. This program is available to qualified lenders whose loan applicants want to establish, reopen, expand, or improve a sawmill or other wood processing facility that processes ecosystem restoration byproducts from USDA Forest Service National Forest System lands.

*This project was announced in this November 2025 USDA RD news release.

For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway. The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making RD's investment data accessible to the public.

If you'd like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit GovDelivery subscriber page.

###

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.