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NS forestry transition team funds rebuild at Lewis Mouldings and Wood Specialties

Nova Scotia’s Forestry Innovation Transition Trust is putting $2.5 million into project at Lewis Mouldings and Wood Specialties Ltd. in Weymouth, N.S., to help the company rebuild after a fire last year.

The company plans to acquire two new pieces of equipment used to make high-value moulding products from low-value wood supply, including tree tops.

According to a news release from the Forestry Innovation Transition Trust (FITT), the funding supports ecological and sustainable forestry practices, as well as business for the province’s woodlot owners.

“Lewis Mouldings is very appreciative of this support. This investment will help us purchase equipment to create high value products out of low-grade fibre. Ecological forestry demands that markets exist for forest products of varied quality and volumes. FITT’s investment will help create such a market,” Jamie Lewis, president of Lewis Mouldings and Wood Specialities, said in the release.

The province’s Forestry Innovation Transition Trust was set up in early 2020 to dole out a $50-million forestry transition fund it created after Northern Pulp’s closure.

The three-member board (Rosalind Penfound, Douglas Hall and David Saxton) has since approved 10 projects, spending around $25 million of the $50 million fund.

“This project advances innovation in and renewal of the sector, furthering sustainable forestry practices in the province,” Rosalind Penfound, chair of FITT, said in the news release. “With this equipment, Lewis Mouldings will produce high-value products from low-value wood fibre that would otherwise be unused, a goal of the Lahey Report. There is a strong market for these mouldings. The Trust is pleased to support this project and an important employer and contributor to the forestry sector.”

The province says the trust will remain open until March 31, 2025, or until funds have been spent.