More investment dollars are coming Niagara’s way, with the big announcement made on November 3rd from Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development, Navdeep Bains, and Ontario’s Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, Deb Matthews. The infrastructure investments will total $26.51-million at both Brock University and Niagara College, and will be dispersed among a few projects at each school.
Brock University innovation
The highlight of this announcement was the Brock LINC, an addition to the Schmon Tower that will be a 41,000 sq. ft., two-storey innovative complex focused on research and entrepreneurship. The federal government committed $8.5-million toward the $19-million LINC, with Brock funding the rest. “It will expand our university’s innovation and commercialization space, not just for our own students and faculty, but also our partners across the Niagara community,” stated Tom Traves, Brock’s interim president.
Funding for Brock’s co-generation facility, the energy-efficient source of heating, electricity and cooling for the facility was also included in this announcement. Brock is pumping an additional $2.59-million on top of the $5.2-million (federal) and $2.59-million (provincial) infusions. The funding will help improve the Direct Energy Facility’s energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Niagara College to expand agri-food sector
With an injection of $10.25-million, the Niagara-on-the-Lake campus will be building specialized classrooms and labs to support entrepreneurship and incubation space for the agri-food sector. The entirety of the project will cost a total of $34.6-million, with $8.7 million being provided by the Government of Canada and $1.56 million by the Province of Ontario. Niagara College is contributing an additional $24.33 million.
College president Dan Patterson was very positive about the announcements, stating: “The contribution will provide our students with outstanding learning environments and allow them to acquire the necessary skills for employment.”
Regional growth continues, with post-secondary institutions leading the way
St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle commented on the announcements, saying “ “These investments at Brock and Niagara College are indicative of the important work each institution is doing to focus on the needs of the community and the student population.” Work on Brock’s two projects are to begin immediately, they’re expected to be completed by April 2018, further demonstrating the commitment these schools have to growth and at a fast pace.
Niagara is seeing the investments come in as a part of both a national and provincial strategy to enhance post-secondary institutions. In total, universities and colleges throughout Ontario will receive more than $1.9 billion from the Government of Canada, the provincial government, the institutions themselves and private donors. Federal funding will be allocated through the Post‑Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, which will modernize research facilities on Canadian campuses and improve the environmental sustainability of these facilities.
