Today, MP Kelly Block, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon - Rosetown - Biggar, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and the Honourable Rob Norris, Saskatchewan Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour on behalf of the Honourable Lyle Stewart, Minister of Enterprise and Innovation, announced a joint investment to support the expansion of SpringBoard West Innovations Inc. to Saskatoon.
Funded under the recently renewed Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA), the provincial and federal governments equally contributed to the investment of $3.3 Million. The expansion from their original Regina office to the additional Saskatoon location will allow SpringBoard West Innovations Inc. to assist more innovators and entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into commercial reality.
"This investment in science and technology will assist Saskatchewan's small business owners and innovators to compete and grow," said MP Block "Together, we're addressing the challenges of the global recession and building the dynamic economy that will create opportunities and better jobs for Canadians in the future."
"Saskatchewan people have been great innovators and our products are used all over the world, in farming, mining, road construction, aeronautics, among other uses," Minister Norris said. "With SpringBoard West setting up in Saskatoon, we will be able to offer more support for small and medium size inventors to commercialize their inventions and offer more Saskatchewan products to the world."
SpringBoard West Innovations Inc. is a non-profit organization established in 2007 with an office in Regina, thanks to financial support under the previous Canada-Saskatchewan WEPA. Today's funding builds on the success of that original investment. The organization will now be able to assist Saskatchewan innovators from a wider range of communities as they explore innovative technologies and apply those new ideas to profitable enterprise.
"We thank our funding agencies for supporting our expansion. In our short two years of operations we have interviewed over 80 potential clients from across the province, from small communities like Minton and Vibank to cities such as Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Regina," said SpringBoard CEO Susan J. Gorges. "Having the second office open will allow us to be more efficient in assisting innovators in Saskatoon and the northern communities."
SpringBoard West Innovations Inc. provides one-on-one services to their clients and also offers educational seminars that build the capacity for business of Saskatchewan entrepreneurs. As a catalyst for innovation, this organization has become an essential contributor to the growth and diversification of the Saskatchewan economy.
The objective of the Canada-Saskatchewan WEPA is to develop Saskatchewan's small and medium-sized businesses, support economic and technological innovation, assist in economic diversification, and increase Aboriginal participation in the workforce.
Western Economic Diversification works with the provinces, industry associations, and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy; coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.
For additional information, contact:
Joanne Mysak
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 975-5942
Tim Tororey
Public Affairs
Saskatchewan Enterprise and Innovation
Regina, Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 787-5582
Susan J. Gorges, CEO
SpringBoard West Innovations Inc.
Regina, Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 789-0535
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 877 303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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