Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today urged the Small Business Administration (SBA) to continue its support of the Timber Sale Set-Aside Program.
“Montana’s small timber mills depend on the guaranteed purchase of federal timber products,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee, which held the hearing. “However, it’s not clear if the SBA is committed to the Timber Sale Set-Aside Program. It’s important we continue to protect small lumber mills by making sure this program has the resources it needs to be effective.”
The Timber Sale Set-Aside Program ensures that small lumber mills will have a “fair proportion” of the timber sold by the federal government. Without the protection of this program, small business mills would constantly be outbid by large companies for these products. This program has been crucial to the survival of small business mills operating near national forests or BLM timberlands.
Recently, the SBA eliminated the position of national director for the Timber-Sale Set Aside Program within the organization. This means the four field representatives for the program must now report to an area office of SBA where information about this particular program is limited. During the hearing, Rehberg urged the SBA to recreate a director’s position specifically dedicated to this program.
“Two years ago, in Eureka, Montana, we saw the closing of the Owens & Hurst mill, and the loss of 90 family-wage jobs,” said Rehberg. “This program ensures we are doing our part to prevent Montana’s small mills from sharing the same fate.”