News · Community
ForAction Chili opens two kilometers of paved road in Curanilahue, improving access and quality of life for local residents
The project fulfills a commitment made to the Pichiarauco community and marks a new milestone in the company's more than 25 years in the municipality.
Joined by regional and local authorities, community representatives and company executives, ForAction Chili inaugurated the upgrade and paving of two kilometers of the local road leading to its mill in Curanilahue, Biobío Region.
Long awaited by Pichiarauco residents, the road will improve access, safety and travel for the families who use it every day, ending the mud they faced in winter and the dust in summer.
The project was fully funded by ForAction Chili and is a concrete expression of the company's commitment to the communities where it operates. It was completed at a particularly challenging time for Chile's forest products industry, marked by difficult international markets and rising production costs.
During the ceremony, Andrés González, General Manager of ForAction Chili, spoke about what the project means for both the company and its neighbors.
“This project may seem simple, but it has a very special meaning. It is something the community and our company had long hoped for, because we know the impact it has on access, safety and, above all, the daily lives of those who travel through this area,” he said.
He added: “For more than 25 years, we have run our operations knowing that we are part of a community, and that our growth must go hand in hand with sustainable development and a harmonious relationship with our surroundings. This road is a clear expression of how we see our presence in Curanilahue.”
Quality of life
Speaking for local residents, Gladys Gutiérrez welcomed the completion of a project that for years had been one of the families' greatest hopes.
“One of our dreams was to have this road to our homes and the mill repaired, and today we see it come true. For us as a community, this is a great achievement, because it means better access to our homes, especially in rainy winters, when mud was part of our daily lives, and in summer, when dust was our main problem,” she said.
She also highlighted the relationship the community has built with the company over the years. “Today we are glad to see our quality of life improve alongside a company that has listened to us and built relationships of trust,” she said.
Curanilahue Mayor Luis Gengnagel highlighted ForAction Chili's contribution to the municipality's development and its decision to keep operating despite the challenges currently facing the forest sector.
“I want to recognize ForAction's corporate responsibility in staying in our municipality, even through difficult times caused by international market conditions and rising production costs. Paving this road is very important work that benefits not only the company but every resident in the area, whose living conditions will improve,” he said.
Cristián Gengnagel, an advisor to the Biobío Regional Government who attended on behalf of Governor Sergio Giacaman, underscored the value of collaboration between the private sector, authorities and the community in delivering projects with local impact.
“We are inaugurating a local road 100% funded by the company, which is a tremendous benefit not only for ForAction but also for local residents. This initiative reflects the importance of public-private collaboration, regional development and corporate social responsibility,” he said.