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Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
August 29, 2011

New Programs to Enhance Innovation-Related Activities

New programs launched today under the provincial innovation strategy, Innovation Newfoundland and Labrador: A Blueprint for Prosperity, will target enhanced innovation-related activities in rural regions.

That objective and the central role of innovation in Newfoundland and Labrador’s business and economic development were highlighted today by the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, as she launched a series of new programs. Minister Sullivan was joined by officials from College of the North Atlantic and members of the local business and research communities.

“Innovation is a fundamental component in advancing Newfoundland and Labrador’s business and economic development,” said Minister Sullivan. “To facilitate greater levels of innovation in all regions of the province, the Provincial Government is building on the foundation that was created through the implementation of Innovation Newfoundland and Labrador: A Blueprint for Prosperity. With the new and bolstered programs, the tools are now in place to enhance innovative activities among rural-based businesses and organizations, as well as traditional and knowledge-based industries.”

Complementing the existing Innovation Enhancement and Commercialization Programs, new programs will have a business development and non-commercial focus. The new programs, which are outlined in the backgrounder, are Innovate and Demonstrate, Global Travel, and Technology Utilization.

Launched at College of the North Atlantic’s Grand Falls-Windsor campus, the college’s president believes the new programming will make it easier for people to access important funding.

“College of the North Atlantic views knowledge, information and people as vital resources needed to succeed in today’s economy,” said Ann Marie Vaughan, President of College of the North Atlantic. “We strive to develop an innovation-friendly culture and align innovation objectives with individual and college-wide objectives. The programs being introduced today are built on this same principle and will make it easier to access funding that will help lead to greater results.”

Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador allocated $11 million for programs under the provincial innovation strategy. Of that $11 million, $8 million is targeting improved broadband access in underserviced areas and the Provincial Government’s Broadband Initiative, with $3 million being dedicated to enhancing support for innovative activities, as well as exploring potential opportunities in such emerging sectors as life sciences and green technologies.

“Rural areas of the province are great places to live, to work, do business and innovate,” said Dr. Kris Luscombe, Director of Strategic Growth, Killick Health Services and Assistant Professor, Memorial University. “The success of Killick Health Services and the fact that we are a leader in international medical research for diabetes, lung disease, gynecology and cancer genetics reflects that you do not have to operate in an urban centre to compete. The Provincial Government’s new programs will help rural-based enterprises like Killick Health Services expand their ability to innovate and ultimately become more successful.”

Gerard Duggan, Vice President of ZedIT Solutions and the incoming chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries (NATI), an industry organization that represents the province’s technology sectors and is committed to accelerating the business of technology, views advanced innovation as offering significant benefits for Newfoundland and Labrador.

“NATI recognizes the importance of knowledge-based industries, infrastructure investments, and the requirements of Provincial Government support to realize the tremendous potential that exists,” said Mr. Duggan. “Driving innovation through the Rural Broadband Initiative and targeted programs such as those announced today will ensure that economic benefits derived from a strong economy and non-renewable resources are secured well into the future. This ensures stable, highly valuable and rewarding employment in both rural and urban areas of the province.”

Since its launch in 2006, Newfoundland and Labrador’s first innovation strategy has guided Provincial Government investments in private sector enterprises, educational institutions, and key infrastructure. Some of the successes stemming from the strategy include an increase in the province’s communications capacity, establishment of the Research and Development Corporation, and creation of a genetics research facility at Memorial University.

“Moving forward we will build on the work that has been accomplished so far and expand the reach of the strategy to focus on advancing innovative activities throughout the province, especially in rural Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Minister Sullivan. “There is also a focused effort in nurturing innovation among the province’s youth. They are the next generation of innovators and by implementing the necessary programs we are helping develop tomorrow’s business and community leaders.”

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Media contacts:

Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca
Roger Hulan
Communications Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709-643-7938


Dr. Kris Luscombe
Director of Strategic Growth
Killick Health Services and Assistant
Professor, Memorial University
709-292-8400

Gerard Duggan
Vice President
zedIT Solutions Inc. and Incoming Chair of
the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries
709-722-7213 ext.202

BACKGROUNDER
An Overview of Programs Available Under
Innovation Newfoundland and Labrador: A Blueprint for Prosperity

Business Development Programs
The bolstered programs target new opportunities for rural businesses and those operating in traditional or knowledge-based industries as they seek to adopt innovative applications and processes.

Commercialization Program
To support the development and implementation of cutting-edge industry solutions, funding is available to support activities that lead to the development of innovative, market-ready products and services. The Commercialization Program is designed to bridge the funding and investment gap between product research and market introduction.

This program, available to Newfoundland and Labrador incorporated entities, is an application-based program that can offer conditionally repayable loans and/or equity investments, up to 75 per cent of eligible costs, to a maximum contribution of $500,000.

Technology Utilization Program
The Technology Utilization Program assists businesses by increasing their technology capacity to improve business process, product quality, efficiency, and competitiveness.

The program also enables businesses to utilize technology that helps them become energy efficient and reduce emissions.

The program provides non-repayable contributions, up to 80 per cent of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $100,000.

Innovate and Demonstrate Program
Under the Innovate and Demonstrate Program, local businesses will be able to better target supply chain opportunities within such public sector organizations as Provincial Government departments and agencies, Crown corporations, municipalities, academic institutions, school boards and health care facilities. Local businesses will showcase their innovative solutions and demonstrate how their technology or product is being used in an operational setting as they bring their products to market.

The program provides a non-repayable contribution up to a maximum of $50,000 per project. Each project will take the form of a demonstration in a public sector environment.

Global Travel Program
The Global Travel Program will provide a non-repayable contribution for travel assistance to encourage incoming and outgoing trade and business initiatives by helping clients promote their capabilities, products and services to the international marketplace.

Eligible applicants include small and medium-sized businesses, non-profit organizations and public sector institutions for business development initiatives.

The program will provide a non-repayable contribution of up to 50 per cent of total eligible costs to a maximum of $10,000 per year.

Non-Commercial Programs
Non-commercial programs support public sector institutions, non-profit groups, municipalities, industry associations and youth organizations that promote and encourage innovation in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Innovation Enhancement Program
The Innovation Enhancement Program will provide assistance to organizations for projects that stimulate new and creative ideas, encourage industry and businesses to capitalize on innovation, build partnerships and increase innovation awareness among youth.

The maximum contribution for an eligible project is 80 per cent of total project costs, to a maximum of $250,000 per project.

Youth Innovation
Through Innovation Newfoundland and Labrador: A Blueprint for Prosperity, The Provincial Government identified support for youth as an essential element in fostering a culture of innovation in the province. Under the strategy, calls for proposals were issued in 2009 and 2010 seeking new activities that support innovative learning experiences for young people.

Through these calls for proposals, the Provincial Government is working to unleash the potential of today’s youth and better position Newfoundland and Labrador in a global economy that places great emphasis on innovation.

For each initiative funded through the call for proposals, the Provincial Government may contribute up to 80 per cent of total project costs, to a maximum of $20,000. Eligible proponents include non-profit organizations, schools in the Kindergarten to Grade 12 system, post-secondary educational institutions, youth organizations, industry organizations, and regional economic development boards.

2011 08 29                                   1:50 p.m.

 
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