County of Simcoe and City of Barrie representatives get sneak peek tour
April 4, 2018
County of Simcoe and City of Barrie representatives took part in a hard hat tour of Georgian’s Advanced Technology, Innovation and Research Centre at the Barrie Campus on Wednesday, April 4. The three-storey building is still under construction and will open in September.
In addition to provincial and federal funding, Georgian received a $5-million commitment from both the County of Simcoe and the City of Barrie towards the construction of the building. The new facility will provide academic and applied learning space for students enrolled in current programs as well as new combined diploma and degree programs in partnership with Lakehead University. It will also be an important resource for entrepreneurs and established businesses, a place where academia and industry will collaborate to innovate and accelerate projects that will strengthen and diversify the regional economy.
“Without the county and city’s generous investment, we would not be here today,” says MaryLynn West-Moynes, Georgian President and CEO. “We are grateful for all they do to support the college and our students.”
Key to the economic growth of the area will be the Centre for Research, Innovation and Commercialization, housed in the new building. It will include research and commercialization space for business and industry, including incubator, changemaker and fabrication space.
“This new centre will play an essential role in creating a powerful local innovation climate and in supporting the diversification of the regional economic ecosystem,” says West-Moynes. “Until now, central Ontario has not had a dedicated facility of any kind related to research, acceleration or commercialization.”
While the project is on time and on budget, West-Moynes adds, “we’re still actively fundraising. It would be great to have a local name on the building.”
