Weyerhaeuser investing $1 million in Washington community
Weyerhaeuser Company has announced a commitment to invest $1 million in Raymond, Wash., through the company's THRIVE program, which was launched in 2023 to provide targeted assistance to five of its rural operating communities. Through the program, Weyerhaeuser will make the investment over the next several years with significant input from elected officials, employees, nonprofits, local business leaders and other community partners.
"Supporting our rural operating communities is fundamental to our long-term success at Weyerhaeuser," says Devin W. Stockfish, president and chief executive officer. "We're excited to grow our positive impact in Raymond through the THRIVE program and help ensure all our communities remain great places to live, work and do business for decades to come."
Located in Pacific County about two hours southwest of Weyerhaeuser's Seattle headquarters, Raymond is the second community chosen for a THRIVE investment. Weyerhaeuser has owned timberland in Pacific County for more than 100 years and has operated a lumber mill in Raymond since the early 1930s. The company currently employs more than 300 people in the community and surrounding Willapa Hills region.
"We are honored and humbled to be selected as one of Weyerhaeuser's first THRIVE communities," says Dee Roberts, mayor of Raymond. "Weyerhaeuser's roots run deep in Pacific County, and we're excited to work together through this new partnership to help strengthen our community and region in the years to come."
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 with local stakeholders to identify and prioritize the challenges to be addressed through long-term collaboration, investment and advocacy. Potential opportunities in Raymond include workforce development, job training and youth education.
"Raymond has been an important community to Weyerhaeuser for a long time," says Nancy Thompson, senior director of Advocacy and Philanthropy. "This is a great opportunity for us to give back, and we're looking forward to sitting down with local leaders, listening to their ideas and coming up with a plan for how best to leverage our resources for the long-term benefit of the community and region."
Zwolle, La., and the northwest Louisiana region was named the first THRIVE community last November. The three remaining THRIVE communities will be announced as they are selected, starting next year. 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.
