To create a viable small business incubator that fosters the development of independent locally owned value-added wood product manufacturers who utilize small diameter and standing dead timber in the manufacture of quality products. In the process, creating significant economic benefits for the region while improving the quality of life through economic development and the creation of year-round employment.

Elk City Small Business Incubator Overview

The Elk City Small Business Incubator is dedicated to promoting the utilization of small diameter, diseased and character wood in the production of quality value-added wholesale and retail products. In 2001, FOC conducted a business-feasibility study to determine if the small-diameter softwood timber that was going to waste in the forests could become a profit center for the community. Importantly, we wanted to utilize any infrastructure that was already in place, and grow it from there, utilizing businesses and workers that were established.

.

FOC's goals were:

• Create an opportunity for year around employment that paid a living wage and offers a safe work environment
• Advocate for businesses and individuals who derive income from small diameter and specialty wood products
• Set up a business incubation company that fosters secondary wood manufacturing operations that would become independent and profitable
• Provide an economic boost to other local businesses
• Utilize small diameter wood from federally managed lands, that when removed, improves the health of the forest and reduces woody biomass fuels
• Implement a monitoring and verification system
• Promote partnering and collaboration among small business and federal agencies
• Create a process that could be tailored to the assets and strengths of, and could be adapted for use by, other rural communities

.

This study confirmed FOC's initial thoughts. Lodgepole pine is one of the straightest-growing trees in the North American softwood forests. The large amounts of standing dead timber from our local forests do not require kiln drying to make into timbers for timber frame buildings and other value-added products. A Small Timber Business Incubator project would allow us to develop multiple businesses that manufacture products whose production needs are less than 10% of the raw material required to run a standard saw mill.

.

The feasibility study was followed by a five-year business plan for a Small Timber Business Incubator that would:

• Help established businesses grow
• Recruit new businesses into the region
• Create new businesses that utilize materials derived from the fuels reduction and understory thinning necessary to improve the health of the forest

.

This incubator is expected to generate millions of dollars for the region annually, restore the health of our forest, and make FOC self sufficient within five years, a true Win-Win situation.

.

Our value-added wood program begins with a sort yard, where the best use and highest value can be determined for harvested raw materials. The lowest valued materials are processed for firewood bundles and chips for biomass cogeneration. From chips, we move up the scale to house and lathe logs and utilize the best quality wood for the manufacture of value-added products.

.

FOC is using sound business strategy and planning techniques to:

• Utilize available timber resources
• Develop markets
• Develop products and that can be produced at a profit

.

Committed partners for the incubator project are the Idaho Department of Commerce, USDA Rural Development, Idaho County, Wells Fargo, Sterling Savings Bank, Avista Utility Corporation, national, regional and, private foundations, as well as local organizations, and businesses.

.

Who Do We Service

• Manufacturers of quality value-added wood products ( i.e.) Timber frames, Flooring, Paneling, Novelty Items, Custom Doors and Windows
• Artists and Craftspeople
• Sawyers
• Independent mill operators
• Anyone who adds value to small diameter and character wood
• Wood Biomass products (i.e. biodiesel, bioethanol)
• Anyone with a great idea

.Services and Benefits offered at the EC Small Business Incubator

• Modern faciltiy with low cost manufacturing space - $0.25 per square foot
• Marketing and promoting of locally produced products and services
• Ability to conduct E-commerce
• Training in business development and management
• Connections to brokers and training in product marketing
• Technical assistance and shared use of equipment
• Development and promotion of brand awareness for locally produced products

• Opportunity to join the Sustainable Northwest "Healthy Forest, Healthy Community Partnership"

• Access to in-house services

  • Bookkeeping
  • Marketing
  • Office space
  • Individual business web site
  • Access to financial services (i.e. business plan development)
  • Low cost marketing brochures, labels, promotional materials

  .

.

Supported and Constructed with Funding From