 |
|
ROSSLAND
– The Province is nearly doubling
support to fast-track innovative ideas and support
economic development in rural B.C., including an increase in R&D funding
for the West Kootenay-Boundary region, Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell
announced today.
“As economies become
increasingly knowledge-based, linking rural B.C. to science and technology
development is becoming more important to our province’s competitiveness,”
Coell said. “Nearly doubling our contribution to the B.C. Regional Science and
Technology Network is an example of government’s commitment to research and
innovation in every region of B.C.”
The Kootenay Association for Science and Technology is receiving $170,000, an increase of $40,000. The
association is part of the B.C.
Regional Science and Technology Network, a not-for-profit society whose members
work within their regions to enhance the application of scientific research and
technology to aid the growth of innovative businesses in regional B.C. Through
the B.C. Innovation Council, government has increased funding to support the
network by more than $820,000 this year, to
$1.7 million.
Some of the extra funding will go to two pilot
projects operating around the province. MentorLinx brings regional technology chief executive officers
together with experienced mentors in their field. IdeaLinx is a networking program that hosts workshops to bring
together industry, post-secondary researchers and government representatives.
“With this added funding, we’re helping to expand two
pilot projects that are already moving regional research agendas forward
quickly,” Coell said. “New companies are saving time and money through
MentorLinx, and ideas and research are being connected with available capital
through IdeaLinx, giving R&D a head start in B.C.’s rural areas.”
“Our association is excited about the
opportunities this increase in funding creates for our region,” said Kelvin
Saldern, executive director of the
Kootenay Association for Science and Technology. “Economic diversification is
key to the future health and prosperity of our communities, and technology
industries are a primary component of desired diversification.”
Innovation is a
major driving force in economic growth and social development. Since 2001,
British Columbia has invested over $1.5 billion in research and innovation
initiatives across the province.
-30-
|
contact: |
Communications Director 250 952-6508 250 888-0023 (cell) |
|
|
|
||
|
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
||
