Government Supports Community Jobs and Growth

New funding for leading-edge research to foster innovation at Centennial College

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 19, 2011) - Colleges across the country will be able to purchase tools and equipment for research projects that will improve health care, aid in forest management, provide better water testing and further the use of renewable energy. The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) was at Centennial College today to celebrate the recipients of the College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program's Innovation Enhancement (IE) Grants and Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI) Grants.

"Our government is focused on completing the economic recovery. These investments will create jobs, improve the quality of life of Canadian families and strengthen the economy," said Minister of State Bernier. "By working in collaboration with colleges, local businesses gain access to new equipment and resources that help them advance innovation at the community level."

Centennial College Receives Federal R&D Funding

Centennial College is receiving $525,000 in federal funding for research and development.

The Applied Research and Innovation Centre will receive the funding over a two-year period to support applied research in energy and sustainable development, digital gaming and animation and wireless networking and services. A total of 10 industry-driven projects will be completed.

The funding come from the $15-million Applied Research and Commercialization Initiative, a pilot project aimed at addressing the gap between research and commercialization in southern Ontario, and encouraging collaboration between small- and medium-sized businesses and post-secondary institutions such as Centennial. The initiative is part of Canada's Economic Action Plan.