Still, with wood products representing the largest manufacturing employer, "I don't think anything will ever take the place of the timber industry, " the county's Ms. Poling said.

WSJ: Logging Towns Are on a Roll

Through higher productivity, more local manufacturing of wood products, expanded replanting and some more logging too.

ECONOMIST: A surprise in the woods

Manufacturing industries reporting contraction in July included manufacturers of wood and paper products, computer and electronic products, textile mills, chemical products, transportation equipment and machinery.

FORBES: Private manufacturers' sales up 9%