Sault Ste. Marie MP Bryan Hayes announced Monday $466,492 in federal dollars for a host of projects, including $185,000 for the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corp., to attract businesses in the information and communication technology (ICT) and digital gaming sectors, as well as gauge the feasibility of establishing an ICT hub and shared data services facility.
Such projects would benefit the region by attracting private-sector investment and helping small- and medium-sized enterprises grow, Hayes says.
"If the EDC is successful in attracting — I should say, when, not if — just three of the six IT companies it has identified to consider establishing operations in the Sault, it could mean additional highly skilled jobs with a payroll of up to $5 million,” Hayes told a press conference Monday at the Civic Centre.
“That's money that would be spent right here in our region."
The EDC will also use $35,000 to assess the feasibility of establishing an ICT hub and shared data services facility.
Hayes said sharing infrastructure and services would provide clients and users with access to state-of-the-art technology and expertise, including data storage, cloud computing and software applications, that would otherwise not be feasible on their own.
"Recognizing that ICT is an EDC priority, this study will determine if the state-of-the-art centre, which would provide a variety of clients with access to technology and expertise, makes sense,” Hayes added.
The Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corp., will receive $75,000 to hire a consultant to draft a business and land-use plan to identify economic development opportunities over the next five to 10 years. This will include consultation with various airport users, analysis of air service traffic growth, identification of infrastructure requirements and the development of a financial management blueprint for future capital improvements.
"The updated plan will help the corporation reach its full potential, enhance its economic viability and support the maintenance of the existing 15 airport jobs,” Hayes said.
Other funding includes a repayable contribution of $154,992 to Insightworks Learning and Development allowing the Sault-based outfit to upgrade its software program, Viewpoint. The software is designed to provide organizations and individuals with customized learning and development solutions to meet specific organizational needs.
Veracity Asset Management Group, which specializes in surplus materials and helps companies and organizations turn idle assets into cash, will garner $20,000 to hire a youth intern to assist with marketing and business development.
And the Invasive Species Centre received $31,500 to hire a youth intern as a program co-ordinator.
Mayor Debbie Amoroso hailed the funding as “absolutely instrumental” to the city’s growth.
“We need to continue to give our citizens the tools and the opportunity to grow and I'm pleased to see that both high-level projects and small businesses will benefit from this funding,” she said.
"This mind set will surely see our community continue to prosper and to grow. These dollars mean employment, innovation, community and business support and an opportunity to continue to build on the already strong relationship we have with our federal partners."
EDC president and board chairman Don Mitchell said these projects spell a “strong collaboration” between his group and the Innovation Centre.
“With teamwork, we're driving this community ICT and digital gaming initiative forward,” he said.
"The projects announced today are part of a larger strategy to aggressively promote growth in these sectors."
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Jeffrey Ougler
Quelle/Source: Sault Star, 16.12.2013
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