12-7 IAN Lumber to Asia

 Idaho lumber exports are making an impact on Idaho’s economy. 

 Idaho’s capital is called the city of trees. Doesn’t that sound nice from an aesthetic perspective. But Boise isn’t the only spot with trees. We have lots of them in our state and that turns into lumber after being processed in Idaho sawmills.  Lumber took a hit with the housing market but has survived and is now exporting a lot to Asian markets according to Jeffery Sayer, director of the Idaho Department of Commerce. “The lumber industry is one of the great examples in Idaho of an industry that has adapted to change and responded to new opportunities. When we saw the construction industry collapse, for lack of a better term, with the recession, there  was a lot of scrambling on their side but it has been really impressive to watch them both  embrace new technology but the thing that has been interesting is that they have taken on new markets and it is really fun to watch Idaho companies find new markets overseas and in this case, Asian markets, and the Asian markets have really enjoyed Idaho lumber. We have established a niche in Asian markets that have helped our lumber companies. Most important is here is an industry that has adapted to change, recognized and found new markets, and responded to get their products into those markets and all of that has saved Idaho jobs.”