This release was issued under a previous government.

The Northern Alberta Institute for Technology will receive $34.9 million for a new Productivity and Innovation Centre under the federal government’s Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund (SIF). The centre will create modern and innovative training and research opportunities for students and industry to develop, test and commercialize new technologies and products that will help Alberta and Canada diversify the economy, compete globally and improve environmental sustainability.

“These significant investments helps Alberta students put their best foot forward by maximizing new, modernized learning environments, while also addressing a need for new skills and research that are the cornerstone of a healthy, diversified economy.”

Marlin Schmidt, Minister of Advanced Education

The 15,000-square-metre facility will be home to NAIT’s Shell Manufacturing Centre. It will include construction of state-of-the-art manufacturing labs, development of acceleration and incubation space to enable prototypes for small and medium-sized businesses, and additional space to support applied research.

The construction phase is expected to create an estimated 539 person-years of employment.

“Encouraging scientific awareness in Alberta and across Canada depends on supporting our world-class scientists and researchers. Investments like this can help make our country among the world’s leading nations in the development and use of clean and sustainable technologies and processes, while also creating well-paying jobs for Canadians. Through the Strategic Investment Fund we are helping to strengthen the foundation for building scientific excellence in Canada.”

Amarjeet Sohi, federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"The Productivity and Innovation Centre will be the place industry comes for solutions and to succeed. It will support industry in becoming more productive and innovative. It will provide a foundation for future prosperity."

Dr. Glenn Feltham, president and CEO, NAIT

The project will cost $80 million. The federal government is providing $34.9 million and the balance of nearly $45 million will come from philanthropy and the institution’s own infrastructure dollars.

Under Budget 2016, the Alberta Jobs Plan, the Government of Alberta made a commitment to invest $449 million for post-secondary capital projects and renewal across the province, including $28.6 million at NAIT in 2016-17. This investment, combined with federal funding, will help modernize student spaces, boost the quality of instruction and enhance the research capacity and environmental sustainability at our institutions.

The Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund is a time-limited program that will provide up to $2 billion over the next two years to accelerate infrastructure projects at universities and colleges across Canada.