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NANAIMO – The Province is nearly doubling support to foster economic development in rural B.C., including an increase in research and development funding for the mid and north Vancouver Island region, Nanaimo-Parksville MLA Ron Cantelon announced today.
“This increased funding to Mid-Island Science council will help the organization come up with new, innovative ideas that will power our society and economy into the future,” said Cantelon. “The council has long been a leader in introducing technological innovations into the Nanaimo area. This grant will help them continue to develop leading technologies and grow business opportunities in the region.”
The
Mid-Island Science, Tech and Innovation Council, which serves the mid and north Vancouver Island
region and the Sunshine Coast, is receiving $170,000, an increase of
$40,000. The council 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 council is very excited that the Ministry of Advanced
Education puts a priority on supporting innovation within the regions,” said Carolyn Tatton, executive
director of the Mid-Island Science, Tech and Innovation Council. “This increase
in funding will better enable us to serve our business clients within the
region.”
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 Mid-Island Science, Technology and Innovation Council and David Dolphin, CEO, BCIC is available at:
www.mediaroom.gov.bc.ca//DisplayEventDetails.aspx?eventId=340
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