Study Shows Steady Rebound For State’s Forest Sector

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — The Texas A&M Forest Service says forestry-driven and wood-based industries contribute $30.3 billion to the state economy.   

The service announced on Wednesday the findings of its economic assessment that drew from 2012 data. It says the forest sector supports more than 130,600 Texas jobs and is one of the top 10 manufacturing sectors in the state.

The East Texas forest sector produced about $5.7 billion worth of goods and services in 2012 and supported nearly 19,000 jobs.

An A&M forest economist says the sector has been steadily rebounding from the 2007-2009 recession.