WASHINGTON — The U.S. Forest Service is investing $9,622,000 to support a diverse range of 17 projects in Oregon through the Wood Innovations Program. End uses for the funding include creating innovative wood products, developing more markets to use mass timber and renewable energy, and increasing the capacity of wood processing and manufacturing facilities. “Oregon has the best wood products in the world, and federal funding opportunities like the Wood Innovations Program help keep our state at the forefront of timber innovation while uplifting our rural communities,” said Sen. Jeff Merkley. “These projects are a win-win to develop new Oregon-made wood products and to reduce the risk of high severity wildfires on our forests.”