There's demand for plane billets at about $10 each (for 8/4), but in my experience, as many people as have come to me asking for mike digity's information (and there were tons), even at 6.50 a bf plus shipping for 8/4 (which given the scarcity and ability to request width from mike is not much money), not that many people actually bought.
I'm leaning toward the idea that you'd cut a lot of billets and people would order one or two or 5 and not make it worth your time unless you wanted to do it as a hobby. 90% of the people who beg you to make blanks available will disappear when it comes time to actually send you money for blanks.
I sure do think, though, that there is value in individuals getting the beech and using it. For one thing, dead QS beech makes a great saw handle and works well with rasps, and for another (and this is just my opinion) the idea that every planemaker comes out and copies larry's planes and then copies his prices makes it so that it's a far better option for people to build their own. 10 hours makes a pair and the irons and saves $300+ and provides valuable experience with small tight work.
(I'd describe the steamed beech as being more dead, and lively is a good word for the american beech in comparison - lively both in color and feel. Steamed beech feels like a mildly fossilized version).