OTTAWA, March 16, 2005 -- The Université de Moncton - Campus of Edmundston (UMCE) is establishing a Multipurpose Information Technology Centre that will contribute to regional economic growth, announced the university's vice-president, Paul Albert and the MP for Madawaska-Restigouche, Jean-Claude D'Amours. UMCE's Multipurpose Information Technology Centre will include a state-of-the-art conference room that can be adapted for specific needs and that is equipped with the necessary technology for holding business meetings, training sessions and similar gatherings. The centre will allow the communities of Greater Edmundston and Madawaska to access rooms for meetings and video-conferences, making for greater business opportunities. Since Madawaska is located far from major urban centres, it is often difficult for members of the region's business community to travel for meetings, conferences or training activities taking place in these centres. "The Government of Canada is quite pleased to support UMCE in setting up this centre, which will constitute an invaluable economic development tool for the entire Northwestern New Brunswick," said MP for Madawaska- Restigouche Jean-Claude D'Amours, speaking on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "This project is perfectly in keeping with the mandate of ACOA's Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF). I am convinced that UMCE's multipurpose professional centre will help build a stronger regional economy and open up business opportunities for all Madawaska SMEs." "The establishment of this new professional centre at the Edmundston Campus of the Université de Moncton is wonderful news, especially as our institution is already recognized for its expertise in information technology and communication. This project will benefit regional economic development as well as the Edmundston Campus," said Paul Albert, Vice-President of the Université de Moncton ¿ Edmundston Campus. The Centre will also provide local businesses with remote access to conferences or seminars taking place outside the region, allowing the region's employers and workers the same quick access to new information available in other centres. This will enable both established and new businesses to become more competitive and increase their chances of surviving and maintaining or creating jobs. In short, the Centre will constitute an essential economic development tool in today's knowledge-based economy. To fill the professional training gap in the region, the Centre proposes to form a new group made up of members of businesses and business development stakeholders, to offer its members training on a variety of topics such as time management, personnel management, planning and more and to be administered by UMCE. Businesses will be encouraged to take full advantage of the Centre's video-conference equipment, especially for presenting new products, accessing new markets or for establishing out-of-region customers. The project is made possible thanks mainly to a SCIF contribution of $755,517 from ACOA. UMCE is also contributing $188,879 to the project which will cost a total of $944,396. The SCIF was created to support strategic initiatives that contribute to community economic development in Atlantic Canada. Its purpose is to help communities create opportunities for economic development that will stimulate employment and attract investment. SCIF is a component of the Atlantic Investment Partnership (AIP). - 30 - Valérie Poulin Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (613) 941 7241 Paul Albert Vice President Université de Moncton - Campus d'Edmundston (506) 737-5182 Stéphanie Bilodeau Senior Communications Officer ACOA NB (506) 452-3304
