Last week, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) joined UO President Michael Schill at a roundtable on the future of wood products manufacturing and design. The discussion highlighted the roles education and research can play in creating jobs and boosting the economy. Faculty members, research associates, and students from the UO and Oregon State University, as well as leaders from Springfield were part of the discussion.

The UO and OSU are partners in the National Center for Advanced Wood Products Manufacturing and Design, which focuses on developing innovative wood products and building components capable of being produced in Oregon. Sen. Wyden opened the discussion by asking the panelists to educate him on what he should be working on in order to facilitate a sustainable forest products sector.

Earlier this month, Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Wyden announced an Economic Development Administration grant of more than $400,000 to the center.

See the full story at Around the O.