The U.S. Forest Service is investing more than $15 million in Oregon’s wood product industry to boost rural economics, support active forest management and promote wood and energy infrastructure. …Oregon’s wood industry will use the funds to support a number of projects, varying from repairing equipment to engineering renewable energy systems. The University of Oregon will use the grant money to encourage adoption of mass timber by addressing acoustical considerations. Neiman Enterprises, Inc. in Gilchrist plans to restore a combined heat and power plant that converts wood residuals into renewable on-site heat and electricity. Chuck Eggert of Biodynamics, LLC. said the award will repair idle equipment at the Hines mill to help the company create wood pellets and other products from salvage logs. Malheur Forest Products in John Day will use the grant money for multiple projects including modernizing and reopening an idle sawmill to handle small diameter and low value logs.