NORTH ANSON – Business leaders will consider the future of Maine’s wood and forest products industry during a forum next week.

“From Wood to Riches: Growing Maine’s Forest Products Industry in a Changing Marketplace” will explore the challenges confronting the industry as well as the ways to assure its economic future.

The forum will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, at Cousineau Wood Products, 3 Valley Road.

A panel of experts will analyze markets and operations, sources of support for growth and change, and options.

Panel members will include Brody Cousineau, director of operations for Cousineau Lumber; Chris Krauss, coordinator of Maine WoodNet; Diane Overlock of Solon Manufacturing; Steve Banahan of Moose River Lumber; and Bryant Hoffman, executive director of the Central-Western Maine Workforce Investment Board.

“We’re creating an event to promote understanding and development of the wood products industry in the state of Maine by showcasing a single company in Somerset County,” Hoffman said.

“We want to demonstrate that this industry, with appropriate work force development and investment, can remain a viable tool for economic development in Maine.”

The discussion will be followed by a tour of the Cousineau Wood Products facility and a light lunch.

The event is sponsored by the Somerset Workforce Development Team, a partnership of economic development, education and training and development organizations in Somerset County.

For information or to register to attend, contact Bryant Hoffman at 753-9011.