Province puts up $120M for Brandon college's innovation centre
'This is an amazing project — a big reward for us,' said Kinew, who made the announcement at a luncheon at the Keystone Centre, attended by 550 business leaders.
'The ag industry is the backbone of our economy here in Manitoba … This is a really solid investment for us.'
Submitted photo
An artist's rendering of the main entrance to Assiniboine College's new Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture which will receive $60 million in capital funding and a further $60 million in bridge financing from the Manitoba government.
Kinew said the centre will help grow the agriculture industry, not only in Westman, but the entire province.
'When you're dealing with the threat of tariffs to the south and the tariffs from China, we can't be cutting and slashing — you've got to be investing to keep people working,' said Kinew.
'The Prairie Innovation Centre, to me, is one of the best ways when we talk about investing in this core part of our economy, the ag industry.'
Of the $60 million in capital funding, $40 million is earmarked for the Prairie Innovation Centre and $20 million will be used for a new 216-spot child-care centre inside the development.
'It's a game changer,' said Assiniboine College president Mark Frison after the announcement. Frison donated $50,000 of his money to the centre in November 2021.
He said the centre will enable the college to bring in specialized programs, some of which aren't common on the Prairies.
'We're very excited about the prospect of those new programs.'
They include chemical process technology and food science technology, which he said are especially important in Manitoba.
Frison said the centre should be able to teach 800 students once completed in June 2028, up from the 300 students who are enrolled in agriculture-related programs at the college.
He said because the province is providing $60 million in bridge financing, the college will be able to start finding contractors 'within weeks' and start construction toward the end of the year.
Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett applauded the investment.
'It's great news. The enhancing and strengthening of any of our core industries in the city, including (the college)… benefits all of us,' said Fawcett.
'A strong college gives more opportunity for people to work, more opportunity for people to go to school. Agriculture is sort of the hub of where we are,' he said.
He said the inclusion of a daycare will also be a big help to the community.
Fawcett said he wants the federal government to do its share, which he said has been lagging.
'The province has always been in, the feds, as the premier said, have been a bit slow,' said Fawcett.
'We will continue to look for that federal money.'
Kinew also called on Ottawa to help fund the centre.
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Kinew originally pledged the $60-million contribution from the province during the 2023 election campaign.
The college first announced the new centre in January 2021, describing it at the time as a 'vision for the future of agriculture in Manitoba.'
The previous Progressive Conservative government, under premier Heather Stefanson, announced $10 million for the centre in January 2023, which paid for planning, assessing future programs and building supporting infrastructure.
Donors include local philanthropists Gord and Diane Peters, who donated $10 million; Sunrise Credit Union, which chipped in $1 million; accounting firm MNP handed over $1 million; the RBC Foundation earmarked $700,000; the Anthony Matlashewski Charitable Foundation donated $500,000; Scotiabank gave $125,000; and the Manitoba Crop Alliance donated $100,000.
— Brandon Sun
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