Governor Bevin Proclaims Oct. 16-22 as Forest Products Week in Kentucky

NEWS RELEASE

Frankfort, Ky. (October 17, 2016) – Governor Matthew G. Bevin has proclaimed Oct. 16–22, 2016, as Forest Products Week in Kentucky. Congress established this annual event in 1960 to emphasize to each American how forests are inseparably tied to our past, present and future.

“Kentucky’s magnificent forests are an important resource for the Commonwealth, not only creating jobs for nearly 58,000 people and recreation for many more, but also generating $14.6 billion for the state’s economy,” Gov. Bevin said.

Kentucky is one of the leading producers of hardwood forest products in the South and exports wood products across the nation and the world. Forests located in all 120 counties of the Commonwealth generate income for more than 1,800 logging firms and 703 processing facilities. These industries include sawmills, pulp and paper mills, and a wide variety of secondary producers such as cabinet, barrel, and flooring manufacturers.

Bill Steele, director of the Kentucky Division of Forestry, said forestland covers 48 percent of the state and owners of the 12.3 million acres receive a tremendous economic benefit from the sale of wood products to the industry.

To find out more about National Forest Products Week and the forest industry in Kentucky, contact the Kentucky Forest Industries Association at (502) 695-3979. For information on the management and stewardship of your forest, contact the Division of Forestry at (502) 564-4496 or check the website at http://forestry.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx

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