Pacific Northwest Mass Timber Tech Hub
Lead Agency: Oregon State University
States Served: Oregon, Washington
Applicant-Defined Region: Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas in Oregon and Washington
Core Technology Area: mass timber manufacturing and design
Contact: Iain Macdonald ([email protected])
Media Contact: Sean Nealon ([email protected])
The Pacific Northwest Mass Timber Tech Hub (PNW Mass Timber Tech Hub), led by Oregon State University, aims to be a global leader in mass timber design, manufacturing, and construction to lower the construction industry’s carbon footprint and increase housing affordability. Building off the region’s wood products research and development expertise and density of architectural, engineering, and construction firms, this Tech Hub will invest in advanced materials science to position mass timber as a viable and sustainable construction alternative.
The PNW Mass Timber Tech Hub seeks to invigorate and expand the use of sustainable mass timber technology in the United States by increasing access to fiber and growing the pool of available workforce talent. This consortium’s proposal includes plans to:
- Establish an accelerator to act as an interface among entrepreneurs, funders, regulators, and workforce pipelines;
- Create a program to increase wood fiber availability, communicate mass timber’s appeal, and ensure Tribal inclusion;
- Support commercialization of prefabricated housing solutions that can help mass timber manufacturers to achieve enhanced production efficiencies;
- Establish a program that will expand workforce development programs with cutting-edge training, machine simulators, and vocational modules to attract and retain a new generation of forestry workers;
- Construct a center as a physical nexus for showcasing the potential of mass timber; and
- Convene experts to engage with local, state and federal government and philanthropy, to achieve optimal policy and investment alignment with Hub goals.
To ensure that the impacts of the Tech Hub projects benefit the entire region, the consortium is committed to encouraging and invigorating diverse supply chain management, including the sourcing and use of Tribal forest products and coordination with the Pacific Northwest’s Tribal communities.
This summary is based on information submitted by the applicants. If selected for funding, the final EDA-approved scope of work may differ.
Designee Narrative (PDF)
Additional Designations Earned in Region
