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The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Edmonton has received $34.9 million CAD in funding from the federal government earmarked for the creation of a Productivity and Innovation Centre. The four-storey facility will contain multiple state-of-the-art manufacturing labs, as well as acceleration and incubation space for small and medium sized businesses. The GEC Architecture-designed building will also house applied research space, providing an innovative and educational launchpad for the commercialization of new technologies.
In the announcement, federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi pointed to the need to support Canada's scientists and researchers in order to raise nationwide awareness of scientific discoveries and endeavours. Continued investment in research and the development of new technologies could also lead to the creation and use of clean and sustainable energy processes, a key plank of the government's climate change strategy.
"This once-in-a-generation investment by the Government of Canada is a historic down payment on the government's vision to position Canada as a global centre for innovation," said Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. "That means making Canada a world leader in turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into middle-class jobs and start-up companies into global successes. This investment will create conditions that are conducive to innovation and long-term growth, which will in turn keep the Canadian economy globally competitive."
NAIT will explore dedicating $45 million towards what is expected to be an $80 million project slated for the far east end of the campus on land bordered by 118 and Princess Elizabeth Avenues. That money would be amassed through donors and by dipping into the institute's capital funds. The injection of federal money comes from the government's Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, which will provide up to two billion dollars to post-secondary infrastructure projects across Canada over the next two years. The cash comes with a bit of a caveat however: the work needs to be completed within two years. With that strict deadline in mind, the site has already been fenced off, with completion expected within 18 or 19 months.
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