Alabama’s growing forestry industry has a $36 billion annual economic impact and directly employs 54,265 people, according to a new report.
Alabama is the fourth largest producer of lumber in the nation and the industry pays $8 billion in total annual labor income, according to the economic impact analysis by Jacksonville State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research. It showed an almost $7.4 billion increase from $28.9 billion impact in 2019.
“Historically, the forest products industry has played a significant role in Alabama’s economy,”
Gov. Kay Ivey said in a written statement. “As a forest landowner and native of Wilcox County, I know personally how important the industry is to rural economies across the state. In Alabama, we are committed to growing our rural communities and the continued growth of the forest products industry is a key part of our strategy.”
The report also said:
- 93% of Alabama forests are owned by private landowners;
- 75 million tons of timber are grown each year;
- 41 million tons of the wood grown is harvested each year.
“Alabama’s healthy forests and abundant forest resources are a key factor in the growth of the forest products industry,” State Forester Rick Oates said.“… Alabama’s forests are growing 84% more timber than is being harvested each year, so there’s much more room for growth in the forest products industry.”
The impact study was commissioned by Forest Workforce Training Institute, also known as ForestryWorks. It’s a nonprofit workforce development organization whose goal is creating a workforce pipeline.
“In 2023, ForestryWorks reached over 29,000 students throughout the state with forestry education and career opportunity resources,” said Stephanie Fuller, director of promotion for the institute. “The Forest Worker Career Readiness Indicator curriculum is available in 228 public schools within the Alabama Department of Education system.”