Weyerhaeuser to Invest $1 Million in West Virginia Community

Rhea-AI Summary

Weyerhaeuser (NYSE: WY) committed to invest $1 million in Buckhannon, West Virginia, through its THRIVE program on Oct. 6, 2025. The multi-year investment will be planned with local elected officials, businesses, nonprofits, employees and other partners and targets priorities such as youth education and workforce development. Buckhannon, population about 5,300, hosts an engineered wood products plant Weyerhaeuser has operated for >25 years that ranks among the company’s top-performing sites for safety and manufacturing reliability. THRIVE launched in 2023; Buckhannon is the third selected community, after Zwolle LA and Raymond WA. Two additional $1 million community investments will be announced beginning in 2026.

Positive

• $1,000,000 multi-year investment pledged to Buckhannon
• Buckhannon is the third THRIVE community selected since 2023
• Local engineered wood plant operated >25 years with top safety rankings
• Weyerhaeuser manages >250,000 acres of timberlands in West Virginia

Negative

• Investment will be made over several years, delaying immediate impact
• Company disclosed no financial return or budget breakdown for the $1M

Insights

Community & Sustainability Analyst

Weyerhaeuser commits $1 million to Buckhannon via its THRIVE program over several years; initiative focuses on community projects.

Weyerhaeuser will deploy a multi‑year $1 million investment in Buckhannon, with local stakeholders guiding priorities. The company identifies youth education and workforce development as potential focus areas and will pair funding with engagement and advocacy through its THRIVE framework.

The program depends on sustained local collaboration and effective allocation of funds to produce measurable community outcomes. Key risks include unclear near‑term milestones and the modest absolute size of the grant relative to community needs; the company plans similar $1 million awards for two more communities starting in 2026.

Watch for published project plans, selection criteria for funded initiatives, and timelines for disbursement over the next several years. Expect initial community priorities and specific program milestones to appear within months as local partners and company leaders finalize plans.

Buckhannon, West Virginia, to receive multi-year investment through the company's THRIVE program

SEATTLE, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE: WY) today announced a commitment to invest $1 million in Buckhannon, West Virginia, through the company's THRIVE program. The investment will be made over the next several years with input from local elected officials, business leaders, nonprofits, employees and other community partners. Weyerhaeuser launched THRIVE in 2023 to provide targeted assistance to five of its rural operating communities; Buckhannon is the third community to be selected for the program.

"Rural operating communities like Buckhannon are so important to the success of our business and to the greater health of the forest products industry," says Devin W. Stockfish, president and chief executive officer. "We want to make sure these communities remain great places to live, work and do business for years to come, and are looking forward to growing the positive impact of our THRIVE program as we expand it in Buckhannon and the surrounding area."

Weyerhaeuser has operated an engineered wood products plant in Buckhannon, a community of about 5,300 in north-central West Virginia, for more than 25 years. The facility consistently ranks among the company's top-performing sites for safety and manufacturing reliability. Weyerhaeuser also operates an oriented strand board mill in nearby Sutton, West Virginia, and sustainably manages more than 250,000 acres of timberlands across the state.

"We are excited and grateful to be selected as Weyerhaeuser's next THRIVE community," says Robbie Skinner, mayor of Buckhannon. "This investment is a clear signal of Weyerhaeuser's commitment to Buckhannon, and we look forward to partnering with company leaders and the people of this great community to build a stronger and better future together."

Weyerhaeuser's THRIVE program is a key pillar of the company's broader 3 by 30 Sustainability Ambition around rural communities and goes far beyond the financial investment. In selected communities, Weyerhaeuser leaders engage deeply with local stakeholders to identify and prioritize the challenges to be addressed through long-term collaboration, investment and advocacy. Potential opportunities in Buckhannon include youth education and workforce development.

"Every THRIVE community has different needs and priorities," says Nancy Thompson, senior director of Advocacy and Philanthropy. "We're looking forward to hearing directly from the Buckhannon community and working with the people and organizations there to support projects and community improvements that make a real and lasting impact."

Zwolle, La., and the northwest Louisiana region was named the first THRIVE community in November 2023. Raymond, Wash., was selected for the program last year. The two remaining THRIVE communities — each of which will also receive a $1 million investment — will be announced as they are selected, starting in 2026. Selected communities represent areas where Weyerhaeuser has a significant presence and a history of employee and leadership engagement; where there are opportunities to take advantage of external resources, such as federal or state infrastructure grants, to strengthen advocacy efforts; and where Weyerhaeuser can partner with other employers, nonprofits and community leaders to amplify efforts and impact on the ground.

ABOUT WEYERHAEUSER
Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest private owners of timberlands, began operations in 1900 and today owns or controls approximately 10.4 million acres of timberlands in the U.S., as well as additional public timberlands managed under long-term licenses in Canada. Weyerhaeuser has been a global leader in sustainability for more than a century and manages 100 percent of its timberlands on a fully sustainable basis in compliance with internationally recognized sustainable forestry standards. Weyerhaeuser is also one of the largest manufacturers of wood products in North America and operates additional business lines around product distribution, climate solutions, real estate, energy and natural resources, among others. In 2024, the company generated $7.1 billion in net sales and employed approximately 9,400 people who serve customers worldwide. Operated as a real estate investment trust, Weyerhaeuser's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WY. Learn more at www.weyerhaeuser.com.

For more information contact:
Analysts – Andy Taylor, 206-539-3907
Media – Nancy Thompson, 919-861-0342

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/weyerhaeuser-to-invest-1-million-in-west-virginia-community-302576149.html

SOURCE Weyerhaeuser Company

FAQ

What did Weyerhaeuser (WY) announce for Buckhannon on October 6, 2025?

Weyerhaeuser announced a $1 million multi-year THRIVE investment in Buckhannon, WV.

How will Weyerhaeuser (WY) allocate the $1 million to Buckhannon?

The funds will be invested over several years with input from local officials, businesses and nonprofits.

What community priorities did Weyerhaeuser (WY) identify for Buckhannon?

Potential priorities include youth education and workforce development identified with local stakeholders.

Is Buckhannon Weyerhaeuser's first THRIVE community?

No; Buckhannon is the third THRIVE community after Zwolle, LA and Raymond, WA.

What local operations does Weyerhaeuser (WY) run in West Virginia?

Weyerhaeuser operates an engineered wood products plant in Buckhannon and an OSB mill in Sutton, plus manages >250,000 acres statewide.

When will Weyerhaeuser announce the remaining THRIVE communities?

The two remaining communities, each receiving $1 million, will be announced beginning in 2026.