In 2023, if no additional investment is acquired, we will invest in streamlining kiln-dried hardwood sales. Investments include a third full-time employee beginning in June ($20k), a used flatbed truck for deliveries ($23k), insulation and climate control for existing 20x20 shop ($5k), 6” concrete pad for 40x40 barn/sawmill shed ($12k), gravel for new lumberyard ($7k) and roller tables to bring lumber processing around the sawmill to waist height ($3k). Log pickup would happen with our current labor-intensive process: coordinating with arborists to have them load our 16’ 15k dump trailer and/ or picking up logs on jobsites with our track loader and dump trailer.

With $50k in investment funding, we would do all of the projects in Scenario #1 and add a 40x40 lumber storage barn in order to stockpile hardwood inventory to meet builders’ needs. We would also add a transfer table to make processing lumber more efficient.

With $100k in investment funding, we would do all of the projects in Scenarios 1 and 2 and add a Woodmizer MP360 Moulder/Planer to our small 20x20 shop ($25k). The machine would enable us to process hardwood lumber into flattened boards ready for woodworker use, shiplap, tongue and groove flooring, moulding, and more. We would also trade-in one of our sawmills and buy a LT50 to be able to process more boards per hour.

With $150,000 in funding, we would have enough capital to make the changes outlined in Scenarios 1-4 and also invest in a reliable knuckle boom log truck. This investment would serve as a kind of key threshold wherein the Triangle Urban Wood Utilization Program could really begin. The increased influx of urban lumber would likely require a fourth employee to coordinate log pickups, lumber deliveries, and do shop work.

With $250,000 in funding, we would have enough capital to begin tackling both the urban wood and affordable housing problem. We would convert one of existing pole barns to a 40x40 workshop capable of processing large custom building materials and purchase a grapple truck capable of bringing in ample log supplies.

With $300,000 in funding, we would be able to really bring forward the full version of the Triangle Urban Wood Utilization Program. With a sufficient supply of logs –and our sawmills, kilns, and storage facilities operating at capacity– we could begin the process of piloting ADU and tiny house kits. These larger wood packages would enable us to have a broader market base and move more urban wood per sale.

With $500,000 in funding, we would add an additional kiln and another sawmill location to the operation. This second sawmill site would be able to handle walk-in clients and accommodate retail sales. We’d dial-in the ADU kit design and begin thinking through the logistics for larger scale distribution. We’d add a mini-skid and trailer to accompany the flatbed to be able to off-load our lumber during deliveries.

With $750,000 in funding, we would do everything in Scenarios #1-7 and make it possible for the log truck to be staffed and working full-time in the service of local arborists. We’d add a firewood element to the operation to make value from sawmill offcuts and branches. We’d also begin building out the infrastructure (on the farm) to begin growing replacement trees. We’d focus on a jobs program/staffing to ensure that we have ways to increase staff members salaries and responsibilities over time.

With $1,000,000 in funding, we would do everything in Scenarios #1-8 and strive for maximum efficiency in moving lumber from tree to home. We’d add a vacuum kiln to our dehumidification kiln lineup and possibly larger flatbeds for deliveries. We’d begin working with more large-scale developers to utilize the trees they clear from sites. And we’d begin to work with multi-family affordable home developers to establish standing lumber orders.