New Facility Ready to Support Southern Ontario's Green Building Sector

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 10, 2014) - Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)

George Brown College opened the doors to a green building construction research and innovation centre today. Minister of State for FedDev Ontario Gary Goodyear and Member of Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore Bernard Trottier were onsite to deliver congratulations.

The Minister congratulated George Brown College on the important milestone, and spoke about the Government of Canada's commitment to supporting the sustainable construction industry.

He also mentioned new funding initiatives launched by FedDev Ontario in December 2013, which will continue to support the economy of the region.

Quick Facts

• In September 2012, FedDev Ontario announced a $6.6-million contribution to the George Brown College Green Building Centre, which, in addition to George Brown College's own investment of over $7 million, has allowed the college to bring together the resources to create a full-scale applied research, technology development, and industry innovation service centre that focuses on green building construction.
• The Green Building Centre offers a range of services aimed at providing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the resources they need to accelerate the lab-to-market process.
• The project will support an estimated 160 research collaborations with industry partners and engage more than 450 students in its first five years, and has created 59 jobs.
• Since its creation in August 2009, FedDev Ontario has invested more than $1.2 billion, resulting in partnerships with more than 5,300 organizations and more than $1.5 billion in additional leveraged investments from almost exclusively non-government sources to support businesses, organizations and communities in southern Ontario.

Quotes

"Today's grand opening means that our Government's investment will make it possible for further research and product testing in areas like energy-efficient buildings to take place, while creating jobs and prosperity in southern Ontario. I'd like to congratulate George Brown College on this exciting achievement."

- The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)

"This event marks the completion of a great project through FedDev Ontario's Prosperity Initiative. This is good news for Toronto and all of southern Ontario as this centre will support research, technology development, and industry innovation among local businesses."

- Bernard Trottier, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore

"George Brown College's new Green Building Centre is officially open for business innovation. This new applied research facility enables us to connect the Canadian construction and engineering sectors to the tools and experts they need to accelerate local, sustainable green building technology. Not only are we helping our partners fast-track the business lifecycle and develop new products that will have a lasting impact on the community, but our students are also learning the importance of sustainable, green building techniques and processes."

- Robert Luke, VP of Research & Innovation, George Brown College

Related Products

- Speech: George Brown College Green Building Centre Grand Opening

Associated Links

- Original Announcement

- FedDev Ontario Programs

- George Brown College

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