By Secretary of State Phil McGrane
Logging Roots, Lasting Impact
While Idaho is now best known for its potatoes, it was timber, not tubers, that first put our state on the map. Long before large-scale potato farming took root, Idaho’s forests fueled early industry and communities. Today, logging remains one of our most enduring and impactful economic engines.
Recently, I had the opportunity to see that legacy up close with fellow Land Board members, Controller Brandon Woolf and Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield. We traveled into the remote forests near Council, Idaho, where the Associated Logging Contractors of Idaho hosted us for a firsthand look at a modern timber harvest.
From Forest to Classroom
A few weeks ago, I shared how Idaho’s endowment lands are contributing to a record-breaking distribution for our schools and universities. A significant portion of that funding comes from responsible timber harvests on state-managed land. These remote logging operations aren’t just cutting trees, they’re cutting checks that go straight to our children’s education. This trip brought that process to life, and yes, I even got the chance to operate a feller buncher, a massive machine that fells and bunches trees as efficiently as it sounds. I even got a flat tire en route to Council. Public service isn’t always paved roads.
An Economic Powerhouse
But the benefits extend far beyond school funding. The numbers tell a compelling story:
The logging industry directly employs over 17,000 Idahoans, with another 12,000 working in supporting roles. Together, they generate $2.245 billion in labor income and contribute $2.9 billion to Idaho’s gross state product (source: Associated Logging Contractors of Idaho).
What makes this industry truly remarkable? Its staying power. Through sustainable forestry practices that actively replenish our forests, Idaho’s timber industry isn’t just surviving, it’s thriving, while ensuring future generations can do the same.
Phil McGrane
About Phil McGrane
Phil McGrane was elected Idaho’s twenty-eighth Secretary of State and took office on January 2, 2023. McGrane served as elected Clerk of Ada County from 2019-2022. McGrane holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy, a juris doctorate, and a Master of Public Administration. As a fourth-generation Idahoan, Phil has dedicated his career to making elections in the state of Idaho accessible, secure and transparent.
