The Michigan Mass Timber Catalyst Program has awarded $350,000 combined with a year of technical assistance to boost the development of nine building projects around the state.

“Demand for mass timber is growing in Michigan, with more than 65 projects complete or in development statewide,” said Sandra Lupien, director, MassTimber@MSU at Michigan State University. “But this is still a new technology and early adopters need support to overcome commonly faced knowledge gaps. The Michigan Mass Timber Catalyst Program awards provide funding and support to help ensure successful implementation by these nine teams.”

“From a woodworking school in Adrian to a municipal building in Grand Rapids, housing in Highland Park and the Grand Traverse Bay area, to mixed-use facilities in several locations, we are pleased to see the interest in mass timber projects and are excited to encourage them,” said Patrick Mohney, senior lands program manager with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Public Lands.

Special UP application period

Although the nine teams represent an array of project types and broad geographical range in the Lower Peninsula, the initial call for proposals, which closed Dec. 22, netted no applications from the Upper Peninsula. Therefore, the catalyst program will open a supplemental call for proposals, making available $50,000 for projects in the U.P.

The supplemental U.P. application period runs from Feb. 9 to March 2. Those awards will be announced March 16.

Mass timber enables the construction of tall buildings – even skyscrapers – using wood in ways that were previously not possible. Beams and panels are made of layers of wood which are engineered to be both strong and fire-resistant. Both MSU and the DNR have invested in mass timber buildings: MSU’s STEM Teaching and Learning Facility on its East Lansing campus and the DNR’s Newberry Customer Service Center in the eastern Upper Peninsula.