Kentucky Forest Sector Economic Contribution
Forests cover nearly half the state of Kentucky and are the foundation of a forest sector that is a major economic force in the Commonwealth. This webpage contains the latest Kentucky forest sector economic contribution estimates, prior estimates, links to data sources and methods, as well as additional information related to the economic importance of Kentucky’s forest resources.
The 2017 estimates for the economic contribution of Kentucky’s forest sector include:
- $8.5 billion in direct economic contribution
- $13.5 billion in total economic contributions
- 26,564 jobs in the forest sector and an estimated 60,398 jobs overall
The Kentucky Forest Sector is divided into six sub-sectors:
- Logging
- Primary Wood Manufacturing
- Pulp and Paper
- Secondary Wood Manufacturing
- Paper Converters
- Wood Residue
Each of these sub-sectors is comprised of multiple forest businesses.
These figures show the direct employment and direct economic contribution of each of the Kentucky forest sub-sectors.
Distribution of Kentucky’s Forest Sector
Kentucky’s privately-owned forests provide the majority of the timber for the Kentucky forest sector which process it into many useful products used throughout the state and around the world. The economic contribution comes from timber resources in all 120 counties which were harvested by more than 2,600 loggers. The wood was processed at 671 wood, paper, and paper converting manufacturing facilities located in 112 counties (Figure 3). The distribution of these facilities and the more than 28,000 Kentuckians they employ highlights how the $13+ billion contribution is an important economic force for both rural and urban communities.
For more details about the report click on one of the following links:
Other Economic Information:
- 2017 White Paper on The Ash Disaster in Kentucky: Economic and Landowner Impacts of Losing Kentucky’s Ash Trees to the Emerald Ash Borer
- 2018 White Paper on Ambrosia Beetle Damage to Dead Ash in KY: Prevalence and Economic Impact to Loggers in Northern Kentucky
- Previous Economic Reports
- Past News Conferences
- Economic Impact of the Closing of the Verso Pulp and Paper Facility in Wickliffe, KY