Province investing in Nuclear Innovation Institute to support workforce development and training in rural Ontario
Kicking off the 2024 Clean Energy Frontier Conference, Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs and MPP for Huron Bruce, announced today that the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII), a membership-based not-for-profit, will receive up to $211,600 in funding through the latest intake of the Rural Economic Development (RED) program.
The RED program supports projects that diversify and grow local economies, build community capacity and address barriers to economic development and labour force challenges. The funding will help with renovations and upgrades to the NII Advance Technology Campus, a first-in-the-region innovation, collaboration and enhanced education centre located in the Municipality of Kincardine.
The Campus is a space to bring together companies in the clean energy sector to develop, share and adopt new and innovative technologies—and will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, allowing for enhanced training opportunities locally, connecting rural residents to more academic opportunities close to home.
“The Nuclear Innovation Institute is dedicated to advancing new technologies in the clean energy sector and the Ontario Government’s RED investment of $211,600 will enhance NII’s hands on learning and training initiatives that will generate positive economic impacts throughout the region,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce and Minister for Rural Affairs.
“With the Government of Ontario’s investment in the NII Advance Technology Campus, we will help bring higher education and training to rural Ontario,” said Stellina Williams, NII Vice President & CAO. “NII is dedicated to fostering collaboration and partnerships that prepare workforces for tomorrow, here in the Clean Energy Frontier region of Bruce, Huron and Grey counties and local Indigenous communities.”
She added: “And we welcome organizations that play an active role in supporting the nuclear sector or related industry to explore the Campus—from short-term bookings and events to longer-term programming, we can accommodate a wide range of workforce development activities!”
Through the most recent intake of the RED program, the Ontario government is investing more than $5.7 million in 85 projects throughout the province. These projects are helping create jobs and boost economic development in rural communities in Ontario. The intake for these approved projects closed on February 21, 2024.
The RED program provides cost-share funding support towards activities that create strong rural communities. This includes funding assistance to build local capacity and improve job prospects. The Rural Economic Advisory Panel provides recommendations to the minister on applications for funding. The RED program aligns with the government’s priorities of removing barriers to investment, opening doors to rural economic development, and creating good jobs across the province.
Learn more about the Campus and book your space today at niiadvance.ca.
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