- (a) The Alaska Forest Products Research and Marketing Program is established in the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
- (b) The program is established to provide a statewide information clearinghouse and coordinator to gather and disseminate information relating to research and development, including technical, logistical, financing, marketing, and other relevant information regarding the manufacture of specific value-added wood products and the establishment of new high value-added manufacturing facilities in the state, and to assist in coordinating existing research and development efforts by state and federal agencies and other public and private entities.
- (c) The program coordinator shall identify unfilled needs and problems impeding the development of a high value-added wood products industry in the state, gather information and conduct analyses, and propose solutions by exploring successful models in other states and nations.