June 17, 2021 · St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Innovative supply and service businesses create jobs and support growing industries throughout Atlantic Canada. That is why the Government of Canada invested to help Avalon Laboratories Inc. of St. John's, NL upgrade its nationally accredited full-service laboratory to improve service to clients in mining, oil and gas, and other growth sectors.
Federal government supports new information management system
The Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for St. John's South-Mount Pearl, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA, today announced a repayable contribution of $196,250 to Avalon Laboratories Inc.
This investment has enabled the company to install an advanced laboratory information management system. This new system will help Avalon Laboratories manage a vast number of COVID-19 specimens and environmental samples, as well as its client information, more securely and efficiently.
Today's announcement further demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to help businesses acquire new technologies to grow, compete and contribute to a stronger economy.
Quotes
"Investing in innovative companies like Avalon Laboratories will help build a stronger, more resilient economy, post-pandemic. Avalon's upgraded technology and improved laboratory services will benefit many key sectors and priorities across Atlantic Canada including healthcare, natural resources and environmental services."
- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA
"Avalon Laboratories is a nationally accredited full-service laboratory in our province, offering local solutions for industry and creating local skilled jobs. We're helping them expand to create even more jobs."
- The Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for St. John's South-Mount Pearl
"It is clear the Government of Canada is committed to innovation and job creation. In Atlantic Canada, ACOA understands what small- and medium-sized businesses need and Avalon Laboratories is grateful for their support. This repayable contribution helps move us closer to achieving our goal - becoming a meaningful and significant contributor to the health security and environmental protection of Newfoundland and Labrador."
- Paul Antle, President and CEO, Avalon Laboratories Inc.
Quick facts
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Avalon Laboratories Inc. began operations in 2017 as a full-service, nationally accredited laboratory. It provides analytical services and field sampling to industry and government sectors in Newfoundland and Labrador and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of St. John's-based Pluto Investments Inc.
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In 2020, Avalon Laboratories received national accreditation to provide medical diagnostic testing services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides private polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to industry in Newfoundland and Labrador and throughout Atlantic Canada.
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Avalon Laboratories Inc. provides a wide range of high quality, reliable testing and analytical services with specific expertise for oil and gas production, mining, food pathology and safety, toxicology, water quality and medical diagnostics.
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The funding announced today is provided through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency's (ACOA) Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program.
