Jobs in the Woods Act

This bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a competitive grant program within one year of enactment, designed to address forestry workforce development needs. The program will provide grants to eligible entities for establishing career pathway training programs focused on forestry operations and forestry products industries. These programs are specifically targeted for implementation in eligible areas , defined as nonmetropolitan, low-income communities with populations of 20,000 or fewer that also possess access to high-speed broadband internet. Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations, States, Indian Tribes, local governments, and institutions of higher education. Grant applications must demonstrate capacity, regional need, projected reach, sustainability, and an implementation plan. Priority will be given to applicants addressing an aging workforce and youth migration, partnering with secondary or vocational schools, and demonstrating the ability to assist with job placement. Grants will range from $500,000 to $2,000,000 over a period of up to four years, with an authorization of $10,000,000 in appropriations for each fiscal year from 2025 through 2029.