by Mary Beth Washington

WILLIAMSBURG
Del. Roslyn Tyler (D-75) will be a guest speaker at the 16th Virginia Loggers Association Conference that will be in Williamsburg on Aug. 23-26.

The Virginia Logger Association is dedicated to educational training and promoting a better understanding of the Forest Products industry to the Commonwealth and promotes legislative awareness and representation.

Tyler has been instrumental in introducing and supporting legislation that has benefited the Virginia Logger Association. During the 2018 General Assembly Session, she and Del. Terry Austin (R-19) were chief co-patrons of HB 125 Forest Products – Hauling rough green sawn lumber, which was signed into law by Gov. Ralph Northam. As a result of her advocacy in Virginia and Washington, Tyler was awarded the Virginia Loggers President Award.

There are approximately 50 logging companies in the 75th District. This year, Vance Wright, owner of Charles A. Wright Logging Inc. in Blackridge, is president of the association. Board members of Region 1 are Ronnie Wright of Ronnie E. Wright Logging Inc., and Frank Myers of M.M. Wright Logging Inc.

The economic impact of forestry in Virginia was $21 billion, according to the latest research of Weldon Cooper Center for Public service at the University of Virginia.

The total impact of Forestry and Agriculture was $91 billion. The two industries together employ 444,200 employees or about 9 percent of total employment of the state.

MARY BETH WASHINGTON is the legislative assistant to Del. Tyler. Contact her 434-336-1710.