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Supplied by FedNor…
Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario – FedNor
The Government of Canada is investing $1,488,972 to help small and medium-sized enterprises become more innovative, grow and create jobs. The funding will enable the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre to carry out three separate initiatives that will help businesses to take advantage of information communication technology, develop innovative products or adopt innovative processing practices to increase their productivity and market reach. (See attached backgrounder)
Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor, made the announcement today. The projects will help small businesses overcome major barriers to growth in Northern Ontario.
Quick facts
The funding announced today is provided through FedNor¡¦s Northern Ontario Development Program, which supports projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation.
The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre¡¦s mandate is to drive business growth, facilitate research and commercialize innovation in science and technology. Its key business divisions include agriculture, geographic information systems, business support services, youth entrepreneurship, smart energy, and lottery and gaming.
Sustainable Northern Agri-Food Products and Productivity Program $921,300
Based on the success of its pilot project, the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre is renewing and expanding the Sustainable Northern Agri-Food Products and Productivity Program (SNAPP) across Northern Ontario with the assistance of a FedNor investment of $921,300. The program will provide individual eligible applicants with up to $5000 to purchase equipment or materials to extend their production season, enhance productivity, or create new primary or processed food and fibre products.
Information Communication Technologies (ICT) Network $400,000
An investment of $400,000, through FedNor, will enable the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre to continue to strengthen, grow and promote the ICT community, as well as technology entrepreneurship and innovation in Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma region. The Network will build on the success of its two-year pilot project, working with communities, stakeholders and partners to address gaps in ICT infrastructure; facilitate business support and related training; and promote the benefits of ICT utilization.
Rural Agri-Food Innovation Network (RAIN) $167,672
An additional $167,672 in Northern Ontario Development Program funding will be used by the Innovation Centre’s Rural Agri-Food Innovation Network to enhance the agri-food innovation ecosystem in Algoma District through research and innovation, market and infrastructure development, and business management and innovation capacity building activities. RAIN is working to create a culture of business innovation through promotion and training; advisory services to support individual business efforts; demonstration and incubation of innovative practices and products; and financial support.