The forest products industry serves an important economic role in the Upper Chehalis subbasin. There is a logging operation located in the town of Pe Ell employing over 100 people. A transmission and distribution pole manufacturing facility located at Curtis employs over 30 people. There are many Christmas tree plantations located in the subbasin. Minor forest products such as ferns and fir boughs are also harvested throughout the subbasin.
Agriculture also serves an important role in the economy.
The most intensive farming is done on the fertile alluvial floodlands. Field crops, poultry, beef cattle and dairy cattle are important elements of the agricultural economy. The farms in the subbasin are following the national trends of increasing in acreage while decreasing in number. While this subbasin has not experienced high or even average growth rates, high rates of growth in nearby population centers are encouraging residential development in rural areas. This spillover effect could cause growth to exceed traditional norms.