BUCKHANNON — Weyerhaeuser, one of the largest private owners of timberlands, is offering a survey for community members to have their say in how $1 million is invested in the Buckhannon area.

The company announced recently that Buckhannon will receive a $1 million investment through Weyerhaeuser’s THRIVE program–a multi-year initiative designed to help rural communities grow stronger and more sustainable for generations to come. Buckhannon is the third community nationwide selected for THRIVE, which launched in 2023 to support towns closely tied to the forest products industry.

“This investment clearly demonstrates Weyerhaeuser’s commitment to Buckhannon,” said Mayor Robbie Skinner. “We’re excited and grateful to be chosen as a THRIVE community, and we look forward to working with company leaders and the residents of this great community to build a stronger and better future together.”

The $1 million investment will be distributed over several years, guided by input from local elected officials, business leaders, nonprofits, employees and community partners. Priority areas include youth education, workforce development, and other initiatives that reflect Buckhannon’s unique needs and opportunities.

“Every THRIVE community has different priorities,” said Nancy Thompson, Weyerhaeuser senior director of advocacy and philanthropy. “We’re looking forward to hearing directly from Buckhannon residents and working together to support projects that make a real and lasting impact.”

Weyerhaeuser has created a survey for local residents to offer their ideas and feedback about how the $1 million should be used.

The survey includes questions such as, “What types of development would you most like to see in Buckhannon?” and “What is one improvement you believe would make the biggest positive impact on the future?”

The survey can be found at https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=KJ5Jp39q2UiLFNPmkJiWYH3eYuVhwU5MhT0NcmVLPFhUQVpXQkpYU09LRlpJNkhMDdIRTlQS05WUSQlQCN0PWcu.

Weyerhaeuser has operated an engineered wood products plant in Buckhannon for more than 25 years. The facility consistently ranks among the company’s top-performing sites in terms of safety and manufacturing reliability. In addition to its Buckhannon operations, Weyerhaeuser manages more than 250,000 acres of timberlands across West Virginia and operates an oriented strand board mill in Sutton.

THRIVE is part of Weyerhaeuser’s broader “3 by 30 Sustainability Ambition,” which focuses on strengthening rural communities, advancing climate solutions and conserving forests. Previous THRIVE investments have been made in Zwolle, Louisiana, and Raymond, Washington. Two additional communities will be announced in the coming years, officials said.