Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1009631
palletcentral.com PalletCentral • July-August 2018 11 from 1995-1997 and in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1989 to 1995. Walden is passionate about Oregon and has long-touted his advocacy for small business, energy, and environmental quality policies along with his passion for forest management. His ancestors arrived "by wagon train in 1845," Walden added. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon and with his wife, co-owned a group of radio stations for 20 years prior to his political life. The congressman's work in support of Oregon's rural farm and ranch economy has garnered local and national attention he has helped write and pass bipartisan legislation to expedite the treatment of fire-prone forests. "I continue to work across the aisle to find natural resources solutions," Walden added. "I have worked to fix the federal forest policy to restore forest health and put people back to work in the woods." And speaking for Oregon Pallet, headquartered in Salem, Oregon, Carly Taylor said, "Anyone taking care of our forests is a friend of the future." Taylor, with her husband Bryce, co-owns Oregon Pallet. They started their wood pallet business in 1998 with pallet facilities also in Boise, Idaho. Both of the Taylors had previous experience in the wood pallet industry before starting their own small business, Oregon Pallet. Most of their clients are within an 8-hour drive of their locations because "it doesn't pay to go too far afield," added Carly Taylor. "The company buys most of its new wood from Oregon mills." Only approximately 10 percent of Oregon Pallet's business is new pallets with the bulk of the business in buying, fixing, selling, and recycling used pallets. The company is 100 percent green and FSC-certified which, according to the company, "ensures that products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits." Walden's forest management activities have helped the company through the passage of positive forest management practices. Taylor noted that while forestry management activity is good for business, there is still work to be done in Congress. Figuring out the new tax laws have been a challenge. For example, the new tax laws have caused some distress, in particular with the company no longer getting a federal º9 percent manufacturing credit. "This is a federal tax credit that most wood pallet companies used," Carly Taylor said. "It can be a pretty big ding, and some businesses will benefit. We actually have seven businesses all set up a little differently so there will be hits and benefits." PC