Weyerhaeuser Company announced a commitment to invest $1 million in Raymond, Washington, 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.
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.
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 Raymond include workforce development, job training and youth education.
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.
Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest private owners of timberlands, began operations in 1900 and today owns or controls approximately 10.5 million acres of timberlands in the U.S., as well as 14 million acres of timberlands managed under long-term licenses in Canada.
