Enhancing the competitiveness of Sault Ste. Marie area businesses through innovation
News release
Government of Canada invests to support technology adoption and digital talent development
September 4, 2019 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON — Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario — FedNor
Communities, businesses and residents in the Sault Ste. Marie region will benefit from growth opportunities as a result of a Government of Canada investments of nearly $770,000. This FedNor funding will assist the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) in delivering three priority projects in its service area.
Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor.
Of the total, the SSMIC will receive $700,000 to support the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Network in Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma region. Through this initiative, the organization will provide funding to high-growth small and medium-sized enterprises to help them adopt digital technologies and solutions; assess ICT trends and talent gaps, and implement solutions to increase skilled talent to support digital industries; and coordinate and deploy local and regional broadband infrastructure projects.
In addition, a FedNor investment of $38,000 will enable Acorn Information Solutions, a division of the SSMIC, to document its business model as a way to share best practices with other communities across Northern Ontario.
The remaining $31,500 will assist the SSMIC’s Acorn Information Solutions in hiring a youth intern to enhance the Vulnerable Person’s Registry through software updates. The registry is a free, voluntary and confidential service that provides first responders with key information about those residents living at home who would be at greater risk during an emergency, such as a fire or natural disaster.
Quotes
“Our government is committed to supporting strong and inclusive regional ecosystems that support business growth and innovation. Today’s announcement will enable the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre to assist companies and communities across the region to be more competitive in the global market by promoting technology adoption and data sharing. Equally important, it will help foster a culture of innovation and build digital talent to support the jobs of tomorrow.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor
“I’m proud to be part of a government that recognizes that technology and innovation will shape the economy of the future. Today’s investment will assist the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre in spurring businesses to embrace technology and capitalize on opportunities to create efficiencies and grow their operations.”
- Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie
“We would like to thank the Government of Canada for its continued support of our efforts to drive business growth through innovation. We take pride in helping the science and technology sectors of Sault Ste. Marie and region develop and prosper, and in turn, create job opportunities for area residents.”
- Peter Bruijns, Executive Director, Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre
Quick facts
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The investments announced today were provided through FedNor’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program, which supports the growth of Canadian businesses, their expansion into new markets and their adoption of new technologies and processes, and the Northern Ontario Development Program, which supports projects that promote sustainable community economic development, and enhance business development and growth.
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Since 2016 and through successive budgets, the Government of Canada has earmarked an additional $62 million for FedNor in support of various initiatives to enable the organization to further strengthen Northern Ontario’s economy and create even more middle-class jobs for Canadians.
Associated links
Contacts
Kim Fewchuk
Senior Communications Officer
FedNor
705-971-4112
kim.fewchuk@canada.ca
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