This perspective changed in 1980, when a group of sawmill owners founded the Hardwood Lumber Manufacturers Association of Pennsylvania. A number of Pennsylvania mill owners recognized that if they wanted beneficial changes to laws and regulations burdening the industry, they would have to stand up and work together for these changes. They realized that they could work together for the common interests of the industry while still competing economically as independent businesses. The first organizational meeting took place at a hotel in South Williamsport. The group named their organization the Hardwood Lumber Manufacturers Association of Pennsylvania (HLMA). Startup funds were committed by sawmills and a Board of Directors was formed. Originally, only sawmills operating in Pennsylvania were eligible to join HLMA, as the Board did not want to dilute the focus of the organization. In its infancy, the membership of the Association was modest. Membership grew over the years, as sawmills saw the effectiveness of the Association. One of HLMA’s first legislative accomplishments was the repeal of the state sales tax on firewood sales. HLMA representatives were invited by Governor Thornburgh to the formal signing of this law. As the years progressed, the Association gained recognition as the voice of the industry before the Pennsylvania General Assembly and regulatory agencies and its list of legislative and regulatory successes grew steadily. The Association currently represents the forest products industry on nearly two dozen key state government policy and advisory committees.