BRITISH COLUMBIA – Building on the success of the first intake of the Mass Timber Demonstration Program, the BC government is investing an additional $2 million to open a second intake.
The funding will support the advancement of mass timber projects that will help drive economic recovery and change the face of construction in the province.
“Innovation is key to helping the province move forward with a strong economic recovery that will benefit people, communities and businesses throughout BC,” Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation said. “Mass timber is our triple-word score. By investing in mass timber through the demonstration program, we are advancing the construction of climate-smart buildings that are built with a renewable and sustainable product. This work gets us one step closer to building a more inclusive, resilient and innovative BC economy that works for everyone.”
Mass timber uses state-of-the-art technology to glue, nail or dowel lumber together in layers. The results are large structural panels, posts and beams that are engineered to be exceptionally strong and versatile.
The $2-million investment will support eligible applicants with incremental or one-time costs associated with design development, permitting and construction activities in mass timber building construction. Individual projects can receive up to $500,000.
The second intake follows a successful first intake that contributed $4.2 million to support eight mass timber demonstration projects and four research projects in BC
Mass timber construction plays an important role to help advance CleanBC climate goals by encouraging the construction of buildings with a lighter carbon footprint that lasts throughout the life of the building.
As part of the program, successful developers will share lessons learned and results to help support future mass timber projects in the province.
“BC is well positioned to be a world leader in design and construction innovations that can elevate our economy and positively support our environment,” said Paul Fast, founder of Fast + Epp and a member of the Mass Timber Advisory Council. “By funding projects like these, government is helping advance mass timber construction and adding value to our provincially harvested forest products.”
The Mass Timber Advisory Council supports the work of the Mass Timber Demonstration Program. The advisory council is a group of experts from urban planning and development, First Nations, forest products industry, environmental non-profits, academia and local governments. The council provides advice and guidance toward establishing BC as a leader in the production and use of mass timber, as well as the creation of a BC mass timber action plan.
The Mass Timber Demonstration Program is delivered by Forestry Innovation Investment (FII) on behalf of the Province. Expressions of interest will be accepted between July 16, 2021, and Oct. 8, 2021. Successful applicants will be notified by December 2021.
