Industry News News Harvesting
Nova Scotia forestry trust to fund sustainable logging equipment upgrades

The Nova Scotia Forestry Innovation Transition Trust is putting up $9.85 million for a new program aimed at supporting contractors facing increased costs from adopting more sustainable forestry practices.

The Ecologically Sustainable Forestry Equipment Program, administered through Nova Scotia Community College, will provide grants up to $500,000 for businesses purchasing or upgrading harvesting equipment. The grants include:

• up to 35 per cent of the purchase price for new equipment (maximum grant of $250,000)
• up to 30 per cent for used equipment (maximum grant of $125,000)
• up to 30 per cent for retrofits (maximum grant of $100,000).

Angela MacGillivary, executive director of the Nova Scotia Forestry Contractors’ Association, said in a news release they are grateful for the support to help contractors upgrade their equipment. “This support comes at a time when the sector is facing increased costs to transition to ecological forestry and will have positive impacts across the whole sector,” MacGillivary said.

The trust said criteria and application requirements for the program are in development.