April 2017
AEDC takes interest in timber industry AFA
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) is taking a closer look at different industries within the state, one of those being the timber industry. Arkansas is the second leading lumber producer in the US South and fourth in the nation. Arkansas’ forests are valued at $12.6 billion in standing timber and provides jobs for more than 28,000 employees directly and nearly 70,000 employees indirectly within the state. The average compensation of a timber industry employee is $51,939 annually. The AEDC has identified the timber industry as having potential for immediate growth in the state, therefore spurring the AEDC Marketing and Communications team to create a strategic marketing plan to target influencers and decision makers in the timber industry. These initiatives include the following: print and digital advertising, both domestic and abroad, a downloadable industry report, digital content, including a landing page on the AEDC website, featured blog post related to the timber industry on the AEDC blog, a podcast featuring Max Braswell, AFA Executive Vice President and two videos focusing on the industry, one video being promotional and
Max Braswell, EVP of AFA, sits down with Mike Preston, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, for a podcast interview concerning the importance of the forestry industry here in Arkansas. The complete interview will be available online soon! the other will be from a more journalistic approach. These videos will take part on active timber sites in Arkansas. Arkansas has seen an increase in timber investments in the last few years including the Highland Pellets mill in Pine Bluff, Caddo River Forest Products sawmill in Glenwood, the Conifex sawmill in El Dorado and Sun Paper paper mill in Arkadelphia. AFA is supportive of the AEDC’s initiative that will benefit our industry and the people in it. For more information go to http://info.arkansasedc.com/timber-productsindustry.
How can your grocery shopping benefit the AFA Education Foundation? AFAEF The Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation has recently partnered with Kroger’s Community Rewards program to raise funds for its programs including Project Learning Tree, Forestry Field Days, landowner education programs and the Log A Load for Kids program.
Kroger gives away more than $1.5 million to non-profits each year. Registering your Kroger card with the Community Rewards program will not affect your Kroger Fuel Rewards. Step 1: Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com Step 2: Sign in or create a Kroger online account.
Step 3: Under Account Settings, update your Community Rewards non-profit to benefit the AFA Education Foundation, NPO # 63528. If problems occur, register your Kroger card by phone at 1-866-221-4141.