January 2026 Newsletter: Projects, News & Events

EDA Phase II: the next 30 days are critical!

We’re excited to officially share that the PNW Mass Timber Tech Hub (PNW MTTH) has advanced to Phase II of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s FY25 Tech Hubs competition. We are now a finalist—one of just eleven hubs nationwide competing for a share of $220 million in federal implementation funding, and the only Tech Hub finalist based in Washington or Oregon.

With the Phase II submission due February 18, 2026, January is a critical window to align on market priorities, governance, and execution strategy—and to demonstrate strong regional participation.

Scheduling notes

• The January Growth & Governance Workshop replaces the January virtual meeting.
• Next regular meeting: Friday, February 27, 2026; recurring cadence on the last Friday of the month moving forward
  

Next Steps: Register for the January in-person meeting, plan to reconnect virtually in February.

Email to be added to monthly meeting invite if you’re not already looped in. Opt in as a member.

Membership Opt-In Reminder

As the Tech Hub enters its next phase, we’re asking partners to opt in as members to:

• Stay fully engaged and reflected in governance, communications, and implementation planning
• Receive priority updates and invitations
• Participate in working groups and governance conversations
• Be counted as part of the region’s mass timber ecosystem as we scale

Membership is open to organizations across OR, WA, ID, and MT spanning the full mass timber value chain—from forest management and milling to design, manufacturing, construction, innovation, and enabling services.

Opt in as a member of the Tech Hub

Register Now: Growth & Governance Workshop

Thursday, January 29, 2026
10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. PT
Arrival, coffee, and networking begin at 9:30 a.m.

Hotel Indigo Vancouver
550 Waterfront Way, Vancouver, WA
Valet parking available on-site

This in-person convening will directly inform the Phase II application and align partners on:

• Market-driven growth pathways across housing, industrial/data centers, healthcare, and military
• What success looks like for mass timber adoption over the next 5–10 years
• Governance structure, roles, and decision-making as the Hub scales
• Near-term actions to support the Tech Hub with or without federal funding

Lunch is provided. An optional networking happy hour will follow at 5:00 p.m. (details forthcoming).

Register here (registration hosted by Oregon State University; $25 fee applies)

ICYMI: Call for Comms & Storytelling Input

Insight & input requested

As we move into Phase II, we’re actively shaping how the Tech Hub story is communicated to EDA reviewers, policymakers, agencies, and regional media. We’re especially looking for:

• Short examples of projects, partnerships, or pilots launching in 2026
• Clear signals of market demand, workforce need, or supply-chain readiness
• Quotes, data points, visuals, or third-party validation we can amplify
  

If you shared ideas with Marcus in December—thank you. If not, January is the moment to get them in.

Share Comms Ideas

Proposal Framework & Next Steps

Proposal Reminder: EDA Tech Hub Request ($33M)  

The PNW Mass Timber Tech Hub is requesting $33 million in federal funding to catalyze growth across three coordinated component projects.

1. GROW — $7.5M. Lead: WA Mass Timber Accelerator. Aim: Expand demand, capital access, and supportive policy.
Policy Alignment Committee

• Entrepreneur & C-suite training;
• Investor underwriting education;
• Insurance data + resilience tools;
• Model zoning in 20 Oregon cities;
• Revolving working capital fund;
• Modular/prefab housing customer pipeline
  

2. INNOVATE — $15M. Lead: Oregon State University / TDI. Aim: Accelerate testing, commercialization, and fiber supply security.

• Innovation Derisking Program;
• Commercialization of AI forestry, automation/robotics, and flat-pack systems;
• NEPA surveys securing 15 years of supply;
• Maker Space at the Port of Portland;
• Product certification support.
  

3. TRAIN — $10M. Lead: Worksystems. Aim: Build a regional workforce pipeline for forestry, manufacturing, and construction.

• Forest Workforce Education and Training Center (FWETC) curriculum + mobile training;
• Workforce assessments (WA/ID/MT);
• Community college micro-credentials;
• Six-board workforce alignment;
• Digital career/training portal;
• Student outreach and job placements.
  

Timeline

• Nov 7, 2025: Stage I preliminary application submitted
• Early Jan 2026: Notice on Phase II advancement
• Feb 18, 2026: Phase II comprehensive application due
• Spring 2026: Awards announced
• 24–60 months: Period of performance

Events & Gatherings

International Mass Timber Conference — Mar 31–Apr 2, 2026 | Portland, OR

The global flagship mass-timber event with 200+ exhibitors, 60+ speakers, and sessions on technology, policy, and market trends. Learn more & register.

With funding provided by the US Economic Development Administration to Oregon State University, we are laying the foundation for our shared vision of a globally competitive industry in mass timber.

— The PNW Mass Timber Tech Hub Team

Marcus Kauffman, ODF, Tech Hub Regional Innovation Officer (RIO)

Iain Macdonald, OSU, Hub Director