A federal agency has awarded $500,000 to a coalition that includes the University of Oregon to advance the use of mass timber construction.

The Oregon Mass Timber Coalition will receive the funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration as part of the $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge. It is one of 60 finalists out of 529 applicants and the only finalist in Oregon.

The coalition is a partnership among the Port of Portland, Business Oregon, Oregon Department of Forestry, Department of Land Conservation and Development and the Tallwood Design Institute, which is a partnership between the UO and Oregon State University. The award will be used to create a strategy for a mass timber modular manufacturing facility at Marine Terminal 2 in Portland.

Among the goals are supporting Oregon’s emerging mass timber industry, growing regional economic development opportunities, creating career pathways and business opportunities for struggling communities, and accelerating production of affordable housing. Mass timber is a fast-emerging, sustainable and often cost-effective construction material suitable for large projects.

The coalition will advance to phase 2 and compete for up to $100 million in American Rescue Plan funding to develop and scale mass timber manufacturing in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.