ISSUE:

Appalachian people have been dependent on our forests for various products since the first settlers arrived. Is the forest products industry still important to West Virginians?

FACTS:

The forest products industry is the only natural resource industry that extends into every West Virginia county.

The forest products industry in West Virginia provides jobs for 30,000 workers.

Since 1987, the forest products industry has grown from a $950 million to a $4 billion industry.

The state of West Virginia collected nearly $3 million from timber severance taxes in 2005