As we approach the winter season and look forward to cozying up with a warm blanket and a cup of hot coffee or cocoa, take time to do a yearly inspection of your wood heating appliances to ensure your winter (and holiday) season is as safe as it can be. Energy-saving tips are also available at this link: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/fall-and-winter-energy-saving-tips

The holiday season, and especially Thanksgiving, is a great time of the year to reflect on all that we are thankful for. On behalf of the Heating the Midwest (HTM) Steering Committee, we are thankful for all of you and your years of support and commitment to the Heating the Midwest Initiative. As we approach a new year, HTM looks forward to the new opportunities and resources that the Great Lakes Timber Products Association (GLTPA) will bring. The GLTPA publication, Great Lakes TPA, is one great way to stay informed of industry news. If you have not had the chance to sign up to receive the monthly GLTPA publication, we encourage you to do so by emailing a request and your mailing address to marketing@heatingthemidwest.org.

From all of us at Heating the Midwest, we wish you and yours a happy and safe holiday season!

February 13-15, 2024 

February 12-15, 2024 

June 10-12, 2024 

Turnkey pellet business and equipment!

Start selling today with current inventory and have all the equipment to start producing next week at your new location! There is a pellet shortage already for the 2023 heating season and there are many biomass, BBQ pellet opportunities.

All semi-trailers, trucks, walking floor, complete plant, all electrical equipment (600 AMP BOX to 480 to 220 and 110 transformers, soft start, plus complete panel), and inventory. Previously decommissioned, loaded in trailers, and awaiting shipment to your new location.

Way Under Value - Asking $300K - offers may be considered.

Please contact Sally if interested.

Call 701-862-2132 or 651-210-7717 for all questions.

Email: sally@ndsafetypro.com

FutureMetrics White Paper: Biomass Conversion of French Coal Plants to Create Significant Pellet Demand. The white paper predicts how those conversions could boost demand for wood pellets. https://biomassmagazine.com/articles/futuremetrics-biomass-conversion-of-french-coal-plants-to-create-significant-pellet-demand

Camels Hump Middle School and Craftsbury Academy are two schools within 50 school districts in Vermont that use wood chips or pellets to heat their facilities. Journal of Forestry – The November issue of is now available online: https://academic.oup.com/jof/issue/121/5-6

Forest Biomass Feedstock Availability and Economic Contribution of Biopower Facilities in the Lake States Region, Journal of Forestry

USDA Forest Service – Wood Innovations Grant.

Focus areas of the program include mass timber, renewable wood energy, and technological development that supports hazardous fuel reduction and sustainable forest management. Applications are due December 15, 2023. https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/energy-forest-products/wood-innovation

USDA Forest Service – Community Wood Grant Program.

The program provides grants to install thermally led community wood energy systems or to build innovative wood product manufacturing facilities. Applications are due December 15, 2023. https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/energy-forest-products/wood-innovation

The program aims to provide support for facilities that purchase and process byproducts of ecosystem restoration projects, including applications to establish, reopen, retrofit, expand or improve a sawmill or other wood-processing facility that is located in close proximity to federal or Indian lands that need ecosystem restoration and will generate byproducts. The program places emphasis on areas of unnaturally severe fire or insect or disease infestation with high or very high priority for ecological restoration. Applications are due December 1, 2023. https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/energy-forest-products/wood-innovation

USDA REAP

Funds may be used to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses install renewable energy systems or to make energy-efficiency improvements. Applications windows are: December 31, 2023, March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, and September 30, 2024.

For more information about the Inflation Reduction Act, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/inflation-reduction-act.

Tennessee Forestry, Agriculture & Rural Markets (FARM) Grants

Applications will be accepted in November 2023, and March 2024. https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/topic/farm.html

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that USDA is accepting applications for loans and grants to expand access to new and better markets for rural small business owners and microentrepreneurs. The Department is making approximately $29 million available in funding through the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP). USDA provides RMAP funding to non-profits, Tribes, colleges and universities to create revolving loan fund programs and support training and technical assistance for rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises. Rural businesses with 10 or fewer full-time employees are eligible for loans and technical assistance. Details are available at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/usda-rd-sa-rmap-stakeholder-notification-final-09142023

Now featured in Great Lakes TPA Magazine

If you would like to receive the monthly GLTPA publication, Great Lakes TPA, please send a mailing address to marketing@heatingthemidwest.org.