Economic importance of forestry and forest products to Mississippi Counties: A publication series to help the forestry community educate local government officials and the public

Abstract

The economic contribution of forestry and forest products within states is well documented; however, information on their importance within individual counties is not readily available. A new publication series reports the economic impact of Mississippi's forestry and forest product sectors by county. Efforts to promote forestry and educate the public on the economic importance of forestry and forest products to a county's economy can be greatly enhanced by providing county-level data. County-level economic input-output analyses were conducted using IMPLAN software and data. This approach estimates how purchases of goods and services from supporting sectors in the local economy by the forestry and forest products industry generate additional economic activity within that economy. Quantifying the total amount of economic activity documents the importance of forestry and forest products to a county's economy. The publication series has proven to be useful to forestry communities seeking support from state and local governments and in demonstrating how actions damaging to forestry or forest products can result in harm to the local economy. © 2013 Society of American Foresters.