IION receives $50K to help enhance SME mfg processes

Mar. 2, 2015 – Ed Holder, minister of state (science and technology), and Jay Aspin, MP Nipissing - Timiskaming, today announced an investment in the Innovation Initiatives Ontario North (IION) organization through the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP).

The investment of up to $50,000 this year will help “enhance and accelerate the adoption of advanced design, prototyping, manufacturing and productivity technologies by innovative small and medium-sized businesses (SME) in Northern Ontario regions,” such as Nipissing, Parry Sound, Huntsville and Timiskaming.

The announcement took place at Canadore College’s Innovation Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Production (ICAMP) facility.

“Under our government’s updated Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy, creating strong partnerships between colleges and businesses is a key commitment to ensuring Canadian businesses innovate to remain competitive on global markets,” said Holder. “Today’s IRAP investment will partner IION with Canadore College’s ICAMP facility to ensure local businesses have access to cutting edge prototyping, design and manufacturing processes to stay competitive and create jobs in North Bay and across Northern Ontario.”

IION and ICAMP say they are working together on the Innovation Manufacturing and Facilitation Program (IMFP), which is “designed to accelerate innovation and commercialization in the manufacturing sector by utilizing the specialized services and technology expertise within ICAMP.”