14 May 2010
Fredericton, New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick's (UNB) Wood Science and Technology Centre (WSTC) is enhancing its testing capabilities thanks to investments from the federal and provincial governments. The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway; along with the Honourable Greg Byrne, Minister of Finance, announced joint funding of more than $200,000 to improve the Centre today.
"Our government is committed to investing and strengthening the competitiveness of the Atlantic Canadian economy," said Minister Ashfield. "ACOA's investment will help the university establish a bio-fuels testing laboratory that will give New Brunswick companies access to local Canadian facilities, while reducing their business costs."
"The capacity of New Brunswick companies to diversify and seek out new markets is a hallmark of the resourcefulness of our local business leaders," said Byrne. "Our assistance of $25,000 will help the WSTC establish a quality-control testing facility that will help local industry save the time and expense of sending samples outside New Brunswick for testing. The government of New Brunswick is eager to support projects that focus on localizing industry services, as well as on benefitting the growing bio-fuels industry in Atlantic Canada."
The WSTC will purchase equipment to establish the testing lab which will allow it to complete on-site all of the required basic tests for solid bio-fuels.
"Thanks to our funding partners, university students, researchers and industry professionals will have access to the equipment needed to develop and test the next generation of bio-fuels at UNB's Wood Science and Technology Centre," said Dr. Anthony Secco, UNB vice- president Fredericton (academic). "UNB conducts more than 75 per cent of university-based research in the province and this new equipment will enhance our research capacity and benefit the forest industry."
The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is investing $177,000 in the new laboratory under the Innovative Communities Fund. The Province of New Brunswick is providing $25,000 while UNB is contributing $50,000 in cash and another $50,000 in-kind.
The Wood Science and Technology Centre at the University of New Brunswick, is a first class regional wood products research and development organization. The governments of Canada and New Brunswick are investing in the only accredited wood products laboratory located at a Canadian university. This new center boasts an international reputation for its research and wood engineering expertise, further strengthening Atlantic Canada's research and innovation capacity.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The University of New Brunswick's Wood Science and Technology Centre will enhance its bio-fuels testing capabilities thanks to investments from the federal and provincial governments.
The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway; along with the Honourable Greg Byrne, Minister of Finance made the announcement today.
The government support will enable the Centre to purchase equipment to establish a testing lab that will allow the facility to complete all of the required basic tests for solid bio-fuels on-site.
The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is investing $177,000 toward the project under the Innovative Communities Fund. The Province of New Brunswick is providing $25,000 while the UNB is contributing $50,000 in cash and another $50,000 in-kind.
-30-
INFORMATION:
Paul CJ LeBlanc
Senior Communications Officer ACOA NB
506-452-3310
Ashley Bursey Communications Officer
Business New Brunswick
506-453-2694
Michael Albright
Manager Wood Science and Technology Centre
506-453-4507
