The forestry and forest products manufacturing industry contributes more than $36.3 billion to Alabama’s economy according to the latest IMPLAN study commissioned by the Forest Workforce Training Institute. Jacksonville State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research conducted a study that showed an almost $7.4 billion increase from the previous study of $28.9 billion impact in 2019. More than 54,000 Alabamians are directly employed by the forest products industry and a total of 123,624 people are employed because of the economic activity generated from Alabama’s forest industry, contributing over $8 billion of labor income to the state. “Alabama’s abundant forest resources, friendly business environment and willing and well trained workforce combine to make Alabama a very attractive location for forest products companies,” said Chris Isaacson, President and CEO of the Alabama Forestry Association. “Over the last ten years, forest products companies have invested an average of $840 million every year, creating more than 1,000 new jobs per year.”