The U.S. Forest Service Wood Education and Resource Center is taking applications for a special-use permit to lease its rough mill facility and woodshop located in Princeton, W.Va. Applications will be accepted through July 12.

The intent of the special-use permit is to lease the facilities for light-to-medium manufacturing, preferably in the wood and forest products industry. The Wood Education and Resource Center will consider other potential uses of the facilities such as education, warehouse space, and non-wood products industries.

The facilities include a 42,674-sq.-ft. rough mill and 10,000-sq.-ft. woodshop. Applicants can apply to lease either or both facilities. Both the rough mill and woodshop are well-equipped, modern facilities that have all the necessary electrical and dust collection systems in place.

The Forest Service will consider all proposals it receives. However, those that take advantage of nearby Wood Education and Resource Center and research facilities or contribute to the well-being of the local community will receive additional consideration.

Applicants need to indicate in the proposal if they are going to use the government-owned equipment in the facilities. The Forest Service will remove any equipment from the facility that is not included in the proposal. Applications must also include a business plan.

A 20-year special use permit will be issued to the selected applicant. The permittee can terminate the permit by providing a minimum six-month advance notice to the Authorized Forest Service Official in a written letter.

For information, contact director Steve Milauskas at smilauskas@fs.fed.us or call 304-487-1510.