October 14, 2020 - Sudbury, ON - Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario - FedNor
Innovation centres are important hubs of technology, research and subject-matter expertise where knowledge is shared, and ideas and concepts can transform into viable business ventures. As our economy recovers from the impacts of COVID-19, the Government of Canada is working hard to ensure Northern Ontario innovation centres and the entrepreneurs they support, are well positioned to take part in our nation's economic recovery.
Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedNor, today announced a FedNor investment totalling $519,000 to help the Northern Centre for Advanced Technology (NORCAT) continue to deliver its services to local entrepreneurs as well as implement an important new tech development project.
As part of this total, $429,000 was provided through FedNor's Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) to assist NORCAT in bridging the financial gap caused by the pandemic. Specifically, the funding is helping to keep the organization's staff working and construction on track for the innovation centre's state-of-the-art surface facility at its Underground Testing Centre in Greater Sudbury.
The remaining $90,000 will help NORCAT establish a technology hub to accelerate software, gaming, and app development in Greater Sudbury. Once fully operational, the new incubation space will help local tech entrepreneurs to start-up, scale-up and access new markets.
Northern Ontario has been hard hit by COVID-19 and today's announcement is further proof of the Government of Canada's commitment to families, communities and businesses, helping them to not just survive, but also thrive. It will help get Canadians back to work and ensure that Greater Sudbury is well positioned to fully participate in Canada's economic recovery.
Quotes
"Strong local economies rely upon the prosperity and growth of local businesses and entrepreneurs. In these uncertain times, we want Canadian businesses and workers to know that we have their back. We will help our business and community partners adapt to the quickly evolving social and economic realities, and support their efforts to strengthen Northern Ontario's economy and create good jobs."
- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedNor
"Technology and innovation are helping to modernize our economy and accelerate regional recovery efforts in Sudbury and across Northern Ontario. By investing in forward-thinking organizations such as NORCAT, we are helping innovative entrepreneurs access the tools they need to turn their business dreams into reality, and in the process strengthen our economy and create quality jobs for local residents."
- Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury
"Our government is focused on getting Canadians back to work and businesses revved up for the restarting economy. The Nickel Belt and Sudbury region is brimming with innovators and trailblazers, and our investment in NORCAT will help them reach their full potential, while getting our economy back on track.
- Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt
"NORCAT is proud to partner with the Government of Canada, through FedNor, to ensure technology, innovation and skills training can continue to thrive in the region. As Northern Ontario's largest innovation centre, we are thankful that the investment from the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund will allow us to maintain our operations, keep our community members working and allow us to continue building on our strategic initiatives to accelerate the growth of innovative companies that will drive future economic and social prosperity for Canada."
- Don Duval, CEO, NORCAT
Quick facts
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The funding announced today is provided through FedNor's RRRF and Regional Growth Through Innovation Fund, which supports the growth of Canadian businesses, their expansion into new markets and their adoption of new technologies and processes.
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NORCAT is focused on developing and providing world-class programs, services, and resources to reduce injuries, save lives, and enhance productivity in the mining industry and beyond. In addition, NORCAT is the only non-profit regional innovation centre in the world that has an operating mine designed to enable start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and international companies to develop, test, and showcase new and innovative technologies in an operating mine environment.
