March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Process N.H. logs at home, official says > Plan would aid economy, help loggers compete

BARNSTEAD, N.H. — Logs harvested in New Hampshire should be processed in New Hampshire, the state’s head of economic development said Monday.

Stephen Rice, commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development, said New Hampshire will work to encourage processing to be done at local mills. He said the policy would boost the state’s economy and help New Hampshire loggers compete in the global marketplace.

Mill owners have lobbied heavily to end log exporting, fearing it will threaten timber resources, raise consumer prices and drive them out of business.

“I’d like to see the logs stay here,” said Dick Quinby, owner of Winnipesaukee Lumber Co. “We should manufacture logs in the state; that would be great, but we can’t manufacture as cheaply as other countries. It astounds me.”

Rice and Steve Foss, chairman of the Pease Development Authority, announced plans to encourage in-state processing of unfinished lumber. They include:

Re-establishing container service at the Port of Portsmouth, and encouraging the export of processed wood products;

An advertising and promotional effort to be launched as state officials attend three national trade shows this year and next for forest products.

A tour of New Hampshire sawmills and wood product manufacturers to be organized by the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association, the Forest User’s Council, and the Division of Forests and Lands.

In August, Gov. Steve Merrill directed DRED to step up marketing efforts for forest products.

“Our forests employ more than 12,000 people in the state and pays nearly $300 million in wages each year, making it the third largest manufacturing sector in the state,” Merrill said.

Those who defend log exporting say protectionist measures actually could cost New Hampshire jobs if logs are shipped from Portland, Maine, instead.

“We’re living in a world economy and just by being protectionist doesn’t make our sawmills more competitive,” said Daniel Marra, president of the Maine World Trade Association.

Marra said people should worry less and think of exports as growth opportunities.


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