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FORT ST. JOHN – The Province is nearly doubling support to fast-track innovative ideas and support economic development in rural B.C., including an increase in research and development funding for the North, Peace River North MLA Richard Neufeld announced today.
“Our society and our economy rely upon new innovation to keep us moving forward,” said Neufeld. “This funding will help the Science and Technology Association to continue to develop new ideas to help the North.”
The Science
and Technology Association of the North, which serves the Peace-Liard-Stikine
regions, 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.
“As economies become increasingly
knowledge-based, linking rural B.C. to science and technology development is
becoming more important to our province’s competitiveness,” said Advanced
Education Minister Murray Coell. “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.”
Part of the funding will be used to expand two provincewide pilot projects: MentorLinx and IdeaLinx. MentorLinx brings regional technology chief executive officers together with experienced mentors in their field to help save new companies time and money. IdeaLinx is a networking program that brings together industry, post-secondary researchers and government representatives at workshops to connect ideas and research with available capital.
“The opportunity to enhance our programs is incredible,” said Lori
Ackerman, executive director of the Science and Technology Association
of the North. “Through
knowledge and the understanding and use of research and development we can
build a stronger economy.”
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.
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A photograph of Advanced Education Minister Coell with the executive of the Science and Technology Association of the North and David Dolphin, CEO, BCIC, is available at:
www.mediaroom.gov.bc.ca//DisplayEventDetails.aspx?eventId=340
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