Entrepreneurs in Grey County will soon have a new place to prototype their products and experiment with leading-edge technology.
Today, FedDev Ontario announced that it will be investing $845,000 to enhance service offering and business programming at the Sydenham Campus Regional Skills Training, Trades and Innovation Centre in Owen Sound.
“By collaborating with Grey County and its partners, we are supporting important parts of our region’s economy to stay strong, while bringing new innovators into the market and helping them commercialize their ideas,” said Marie-France Lalonde, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages.
Lalonde made the announcement Monday morning via Zoom webinar on behalf of Minister Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages.
The funds will be used to support the creation of a maker space and device lab that will include 3D printers and prototyping equipment to support small businesses to develop STEM skills, integrate new technologies, and commercialize products.
The investment will also support two new programming streams: acceleration programming for established companies; and incubation programming for newer businesses, benefiting from access to the maker space.
FedDev’s contribution of $845,000 is part of the overall project cost of $2,664,695 with contributions coming from the private sector and Grey County.
According to Lalonde, the investment will support 75 businesses, produce 10 new products and services, create 50 new jobs and will leverage an additional $1.8 million in private investment for the region.
“Creating fabrication and maker space labs allows the Sydenham campus to offer entrepreneurs a place to prototype and experiment, as well as offer training on leading-edge technology. FedDev Ontario funding is outstanding news and we are delighted the federal government recognizes the importance of rural entrepreneurs in the region,” said Selwyn Hicks, warden of Grey County.