July 2026 Newsletter: Projects, News & Events
Work across the PNW Mass Timber Tech Hub continues.
EDA Funding Update
EDA staff have let us know that the Pacific Northwest Mass Timber Tech Hub was not selected for implementation funding through the U.S. Economic Development Administration's Tech Hubs program.
While this news is disappointing, it doesn't diminish what we have built. Over the past few years, we have forged a powerful network of industry, research, tribal, workforce, and public-sector partners. These connections and our sense of shared purpose is one of our greatest achievements.
The need for sustainable building materials, resilient manufacturing, and regional supply chains is stronger than ever. The Pacific Northwest is still primed to lead this transition. Moving forward, we will continue advancing our collaborative initiatives, pursuing new funding, and supporting this network. Thank you to everyone who invested their time and expertise into this effort. This may be the end of one application cycle, but it is far from the end of our shared mission.
\We'll keep you all posted on future opportunities to support our region's global leadership in mass timber design, manufacturing and construction.
Hub & Regional Initiatives
VertueLab Launches TerraForge Venture Studio focused on OR
VertueLab is seeking industry feedback on TerraForge, a new venture studio designed to accelerate Oregon's climate economy by supporting BIPOC and underrepresented entrepreneurs. The inaugural cohort will focus specifically on identifying gaps across the mass timber supply chain and developing new businesses to address them. The program is expected to launch in 2027 and is partially funded by the Lemelson Foundation.
Help Shape the Program
Contact: jasmin.smith@vertuelab.org
Mass Timber Schools Initiative Expands Across the Tech Hub Region
MassTAC is convening partners across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana to explore coordinated legislation supporting mass timber school construction ahead of upcoming legislative sessions. Washington already has 25 completed mass timber schools, with 13 additional projects in design or construction. Current work includes development of a Mass Timber Schools Playbook, a growing online resource hub, and coordinated stakeholder meetings to identify legislative champions throughout the region.
Learn more via this short film. Interested in participating? Contact Erica Spiritos at erica@wamasstimber.org
WA Building Code Update
Washington's State Building Code Council is reviewing an amendment that would expand recognition of additional underutilized species—including western hemlock and ponderosa pine—for structural applications. Public workshops are expected in the coming months. Those interested in participating or learning more are encouraged to contact Todd Beyreuther.
Projects & Industry Signals
Oregon State Research Opens New Markets for Mass Timber
New testing by KPFF Consulting Engineers demonstrated that Oregon State University's mass timber research facility can meet stringent vibration requirements for wet laboratories—one of the most demanding building types for structural systems. Using Freres mass plywood panels, the facility exceeded performance expectations by meeting a 2,000 MIPS vibration threshold. The findings expand opportunities for mass timber in research laboratories, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and potentially data centers, broadening the range of building types that can confidently utilize timber construction.
Portland International Airport Completes Landmark Mass Timber Expansion
The second and final phase of Portland International Airport's award-winning main terminal redevelopment is now complete. The $2.15 billion project features a nine-acre mass timber roof built from wood harvested within approximately 480 kilometers of the airport, making it one of the world's most visible demonstrations of regional mass timber supply chains at infrastructure scale.
California Launches Statewide Mass Timber Coalition
California has formally launched a statewide Mass Timber Coalition, bringing together public agencies, universities, local governments, and industry partners to strengthen manufacturing, workforce development, and policy coordination. While outside the Tech Hub geography, the effort reflects a broader western trend toward coordinated regional ecosystem development and market acceleration.
Industrial Timber Market Continues to Expand
binderholz and LIGNA Systems announced a North American partnership focused on delivering engineered timber systems for warehouses, logistics centers, aircraft hangars, manufacturing facilities, and data centers—another signal that mass timber continues expanding beyond traditional commercial and institutional buildings into large-scale industrial applications.
RFPS live for Massachusetts MASS Timber Assembly Program
Massachusetts is investing in the next generation of mass timber projects through the new MASS Timber Assembly program. The 12-month cohort will support up to eight project teams with $40,000 in grant funding, one-on-one technical assistance, peer learning, and project-specific analysis of cost, schedule, and embodied carbon. The initiative is designed to build market capacity, accelerate project delivery, and generate case studies that advance mass timber adoption across the state, a model that offers valuable lessons for regional ecosystem development efforts nationwide. RFPs are live and close August 28, 2026.
Research & Education
New Review Highlights What Will Drive Mass Timber's Next Phase of Growth
A comprehensive review published in Sustainability analyzed findings from 143 peer-reviewed studies examining the economics, costs, and market dynamics of mass timber construction. While reaffirming mass timber's long-term potential as a low-carbon building solution, the authors conclude that future growth will depend less on proving the technology and more on strengthening manufacturing capacity, improving supply chain coordination, reducing project risk, and creating consistent policy support.
For the Pacific Northwest, the findings reinforce the importance of continued investment in regional manufacturing, workforce development, research infrastructure, and coordinated market development—all priorities reflected in the work of the PNW Mass Timber Tech Hub.
Events & Gatherings
August 19–21, 2026 — Mass Timber Group Summit 2026 | Denver, CO
AEC- and developer-focused event centered on project delivery, finance, hybrid systems, affordable housing, and real-world case studies.
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
*A reminder that the Tech Hub is open to organizations, agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofit partners across OR, WA, ID, and MT. With a full value chain focus across forest management, harvest, and milling to design, manufacturing, and construction and including those providing products, services, innovation, or infrastructure, members share a commitment to collaborative efforts to expand sustainable wood use, strengthen the regional mass timber industry, and position it for global competitiveness.
Stay Informed
The Mass Timber Tech Hub's newsletter is a great way to stay up to date on what's happening in the mass timber industry.
