CRANBROOK – The Province is funding a new East Kootenay science and technology council as part of nearly doubling research and development support to encourage economic development throughout the region, East Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett announced today.
“Research and development is happening everywhere, including our schools and small businesses,” said Bennett. “Organizations such as the Kootenay Rockies Innovation Council work hard to increase the profile and use of scientific research and innovative technology in all corners of the province.”
The Kootenay
Rockies Innovation Council is receiving $170,000 in new funding. 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 link between economic development in our region and
connections with science and technology grows increasingly important,” said Marilyn Petersen, chair of the Kootenay
Rockies Innovation Council. “Our
hope is that our council can be the bridge that establishes connections with
the technology sector for business and our communities and in education. I would also like to thank
Minister Bennett for his hard work and dedication that led to us receiving this
funding.”
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 Kootenay Rockies Innovation Council and David Dolphin, CEO, BCIC, is available at:
www.mediaroom.gov.bc.ca//DisplayEventDetails.aspx?eventId=340
contact: |
Communications Director 250 952-6508 250 888-0023 (cell) |
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