This is the view of a task force, appointed by the state governor, to look into the competitiveness of Minnesota’s forest products industry.
In a report, the task force recommends everything from urging counties to sell more wood to allowing logging trucks to travel on more roads. It also recommends US$8m in extra funding.
Minnesota’s timber industry has been hit by a slump in the national housing market, intense foreign competition and restrictive government policies.
Governor Tim Pawlenty has asked the task force to outline a long-term strategy for the industry’s recovery by June 15.
