Accelerator Cities Program

The intersection of urban development challenges and sustainable building solutions presents a unique opportunity for American cities. As municipalities face increasing pressure to address housing affordability and economic development, innovative construction approaches using renewable materials offer promising alternatives to conventional methods. The Accelerator Cities Program provides a structured pathway for local governments to explore, implement, and showcase the benefits of advanced wood building systems while receiving financial, technical, and educational support from federal and industry partners. This initiative represents a transformative opportunity for forward-thinking cities ready to pioneer the next generation of urban development—and for city agencies to lead an effort that strengthens both urban development and rural economies while improving forest health.

Program Overview

Cities across the country are increasingly recognizing the multiple benefits of incorporating sustainable wood building systems into their development strategies. Local governments are discovering that lumber-based construction methods can effectively address critical municipal challenges such as affordable and attainable housing shortages as well as economic development initiatives. The expanding use of wood building systems in urban settings is yielding compelling data on cost-effectiveness, construction efficiency, and positive impacts on occupant wellbeing through biophilic design. These practical advantages make wood an attractive option for forward-thinking municipalities looking to innovate while addressing their communities’ most pressing needs.

To support broader adoption of wood building systems within the United States, the USDA Forest Service (Forest Service) and the Softwood Lumber Board (SLB) have developed the Accelerator Cities Program. This public-private grant assistance program connects local officials, federal agencies, non-profits, and building professionals, interested in the expansion of lumber-based building systems to explore the potential in their communities.

The use of wood products such as mass timber and innovative light-frame construction allows for even greater sustainable building construction. And just as importantly, strengthening the market for lumber systems increases the value of forestlands, giving landowners greater incentive and financial means to actively manage their forests—including removing excess vegetation that serves as wildfire fuel—while also improving overall forest health and stimulating rural economies.

So far, three pilot Accelerator Cities—Boston, New York City, and Atlanta—have demonstrated the impact of this coordinated, localized approach. Funding from the Forest Service and the SLB enabled these early adopters to financially strengthen active development projects in the essential, early phases of project planning and design. Selected projects also received technical, education, and communications assistance from Forest Service and SLB-funded programs, all of which have experience in light-frame, hybrid, and mass timber construction.

An Accelerator City can foster critical connections between governments, industries, manufacturing, safety and code officials, fire services, real estate developers, and the design and construction community. These collaborations often reveal new funding opportunities, construction methods, and workforce relationships while familiarizing practitioners with the feasibility of wood construction. By supporting building projects that use light-frame, steel-timber hybrid, and mass timber systems, participating cities can expand affordable housing, create construction jobs, raise awareness about sustainable renewable materials, improve forest health, and strengthen both urban and rural economies. Additional benefits include boosted property values, increased workforce participation and productivity, and enhanced aesthetic qualities that improve urban environments.

The Brooklyn Public Library Lots Branch, selected in the first round of NYCEDC’s Mass Timber Studio, is expected to break ground in 2025. Rendering Credit: MASS Design Group and Marble Fairbanks Architects

Program Benefits to Cities

• Leadership Recognition: Join an exclusive cohort of pioneering cities positioned as national leaders in innovative construction, with opportunities for media coverage, speaking engagements, and community influence.
• Economic Development: Strengthen both urban and regional city economies by boosting construction jobs, supporting local manufacturing and distribution, and developing skilled workforce opportunities in sustainable building technologies.
• Housing Solutions: Expand affordable and attainable housing options through cost-effective wood construction systems that can reduce building timelines and overall project costs.
• Cleaner Construction: Mass timber construction can reduce by 80% the construction traffic and noise on a building project compared to other materials.
• Regulatory Innovation: Position your city as a leader in building code advancement and streamlined permitting processes for sustainable construction methods.
• Cross-Sector Collaboration: Foster valuable connections between government agencies, private industry, code officials, fire services, developers, and design professionals.
• Technical Expertise Access: Provide project teams with direct technical assistance from industry experts at WoodWorks, educational resources from the American Wood Council, and communications support from Think Wood.
• Property Value Enhancement: Increase local tax base through wood buildings that typically command premium values for their aesthetic appeal and wellness benefits.
• Grant Funding: Secure $75,000-$150,000 in limited funding available only to cities demonstrating the highest potential for innovation and impact.
• Proven Success Model: Learn from the experience of prior participant cities like Boston, New York, and Atlanta that have already leveraged this program over multiple years to accelerate millions of square feet of sustainable construction.
  

Funding Goals and Eligibility

The Accelerator Cities Program selects only a limited number of cities each year from a competitive national pool of applicants. Cities chosen for this exclusive program join a reputable network of municipal leaders driving innovation in sustainable construction across the United States.

Applications will be evaluated based on alignment with the program’s strategic objectives and potential for meaningful impact. Strong proposals will demonstrate clear pathways to introduce more practitioners to lumber-based construction, identify significant opportunities for new development (particularly attainable housing), and show potential for realizing completed wood construction projects within the program timeframe. Priority will be given to cities that present comprehensive engagement strategies for raising public awareness about sustainable building materials and their benefits. The selection committee will look favorably upon applications that demonstrate strong cross-sector collaboration, including commitments from key stakeholders such as building departments, fire services, and local AEC industries. Additionally, proposals that articulate how the program will create or expand markets for wood generated by U.S. forested lands and strengthen connections between urban development and rural economic opportunities will receive special consideration. Cities should also describe their ability to meet the matching requirements and to fulfill all program deliverables.

The funders encourage the following entities to apply for participation in the program:

• Lead entity for the city (or city-designated organization) that will receive the funding and become responsible for fulfilling the program.
• Mayor’s Office
• Department of Buildings/Authority Having Jurisdiction.
• Fire Services or local Fire Department.
• Non-profit organizations in the building community such as local chapters of the American Institute of Architects, Structural Engineers Associations, Urban Land Institute, Economic Development Organizations, and U.S. Green Building Council.

Application Process

Applicant cities should contact the SLB for guidance developing a proposal that identifies their target development categories: multifamily, commercial, institutional, and/or others. Applicants may indicate additional priorities or specific building types, such as affordable or attainable housing, mixed-use, K-12 schools, hospitality, gathering spaces, and so forth. Proposals should explain how wood products would be incorporated and featured within the design and examine why the building system is appropriate for the project.

The typical award amount per Accelerator City is $75,000 – $150,000. Cities are required to match (cash or in-kind contribution) at least 50% of the total award. Individual awards to be granted by the city to project teams are typically $25,000 per project.

Leading Cities: Past and Current Program Success Stories

These pioneering cities have established themselves as national leaders in sustainable construction innovation through their participation in the Accelerator Cities program:

Become an Accelerator City

Cities ready to join the ranks of municipal innovation leaders should act quickly. For application guidance and to discuss your city’s potential for selection, contact us immediately at acceleratorcities@softwoodlumberboard.org.