Forest-related jobs account for more than 6 percent of Central Oregon’s employment base, and 11.5 percent of its total economic activity, according to a statewide study released Wednesday.
The study, compiled by the Oregon Forest Resources Institute, highlighted the impact of strategic forest clearing and wood product jobs on the state’s economy.
The study states that one in 20 Oregon jobs — 76,000 in total — centers around forest management and wood product manufacturing. Another 37,000 jobs support the industry through sales of forest products.
The collapse of the housing industry has dented forest sector work in Central Oregon and across the state, according to the report, which goes on to advocate for the federal government to review its forest management policies on public lands.
