CHICAGO — A key element of the SLB’s strategy to achieve 2.9 BBF of incremental annual lumber demand by 2035 is a focus on cities and regions where the potential for conversion to wood construction is highest. The SLB’s Accelerator Cities Program unlocks new lumber demand in those priority markets by combining the efforts of local governments, regional jurisdictions, and the softwood lumber industry to expand opportunities for new projects, remove barriers, and streamline code compliance. Cities across the country are increasingly recognizing the multiple benefits of incorporating sustainable wood building systems into their development strategies. Local governments are discovering that lumber-based construction methods can effectively address critical municipal challenges such as affordable and attainable housing shortages as well as economic development initiatives. …To continue to activate new cities, the SLB has developed a new Accelerator Model Blueprint that helps city leaders evaluate how wood construction can support local housing, economic development, and sustainability goals.