Western Economic Diversification Canada
www.wd-deo.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
News Releases
Olds College Weaving New Prosperity, One Fibre At A Time
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is providing $400,000 to help diversify Alberta's farming community.
Senator Joyce Fairbairn, on behalf of Stephen Owen, Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Indian Affairs and Northern Development), today announced a $400,000 contribution to the Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI) to cover operating costs and the purchase of key equipment for the OCCI Natural Fibre Centre.
OCCI was created by Olds College in 1999. Its mandate emphasizes innovation and diversification within Alberta's agricultural community by assisting in new product development, support to new agribusiness and human resource development. OCCI established the Natural Fibre Centre (NFC) in January 2001 to further support the growth of Alberta's emerging natural fibre industry. WD's funding will help Alberta firms to accelerate their development of superior natural fibres, textiles and value-added manufacturing processes, and stake a claim to the growing, worldwide natural fibres market.
"People in rural Alberta, like all Canadians, are facing the challenge of an ever-changing economy," said Senator Fairbairn. "The Olds College Centre for Innovation is helping those in the agricultural sector succeed by changing the way they do business - by investing in our people, by sharpening our skills, by enriching our communities."
"The Government of Canada is working to bring the benefits of innovation to every part of the country," said Stephen Owen, Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Indian Affairs and Northern Development). "WD is committed to developing strengths and opportunities within Western Canada, and building a platform for prosperity through facilities like the Olds College Centre for Innovation."
"Western Economic Diversification Canada's contribution to the Olds College Centre for Innovation is an essential aspect of the ongoing federal and provincial government and industry partnerships that are required to assist the Innovation Centre through its start-up and development phases," said Rick Tofani, Chief Executive Officer of OCCI. "We applaud WD for their commitment to innovation in rural Alberta and to OCCI."
Funding for the Olds College Centre for Innovation is provided through the Western Diversification Program (WDP). These projects are designed to support the growth of knowledge-based industries; create a cluster based on local expertise, companies and facilities; accelerate the commercialization and adoption of innovative processes and products; and encourage the diversification of local economies.
Federal funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
For additional information, contact:
Laura McNabb
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-6892
Cell: (780) 717-3750
Rick Tofani
Olds College Centre for Innovation
Olds, Alberta
(403) 507-7971
www.occi.ab.ca/
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD.
Backgrounder
-
Olds College Centre for Innovation was established in 1999. Its mandate is to assist the development of new products, new technologies and new businesses in the agriculture, horticulture, forestry and oil/gas sectors.
-
OCCI focuses on applied research and commercialization in the following areas:
-
Composting and Waste Management
-
New Products from Crops and Processing
-
Environmental Microbiology
-
Livestock Nutrition, Breeding & Genetics (Natural Fibre Centre)
-
-
In January 2001, OCCI launched its Natural Fibre Centre to provide product research and testing services to enable Alberta's growing natural fibre industry to create high-end value added products.
-
Natural fibres are collected from llama, alpaca, sheep, angora goats, bison and musk ox. The Natural Fibre Centre will help producers optimize the quality, quantity and consistency of raw products by developing enhanced blending and manufacturing processes.
-
NFC also researches the standards and needs of the global natural fibre markets and identifies the barriers to meeting those needs within the Canadian industry. They have also established alliances with processors such as the Canadian Camelid Fibre Cooperative, Custom Woolen Mills Inc. as well as research institutions such as the University of Alberta and Texas A&M University.
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD)
-
Western Economic Diversification Canada is announcing a non-repayable contribution of $400,000 to the Olds College Centre for Innovation. Funding will be used to fund operating costs and to purchase essential equipment.
-
WD has provided past funding to the OCCI of $250,000 (through a Western Economic Partnership Agreement, to staff key positions) and $174,000 (through a Western Diversification Program project, for the purchase of equipment). Today's funding brings the total contribution from WD to $824,000.
Archives : 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000
