Alberta Innovates and Western Economic Diversification Canada are providing funding to the Smart Sustainable Resilient Infrastructure Association (SSRIA). The funding will be used to establish a network of test buildings for small and medium-sized construction firms to develop new innovations in energy-efficient construction through testing, commercializing and adoption of new products and technologies.
The test buildings will allow the commercialization of new innovations, facilitate partnerships among companies and build on Alberta’s strengths of innovation and entrepreneurship to create more energy-efficient buildings and reduce emissions.
These investments will immediately create 50 jobs, with more in the future, and further allow for the training of students and professionals. The total investment is comprised of $2.8 million from Alberta Innovates, $3 million from Western Economic Diversification Canada and $165,000 from the SSRIA.
“Today’s investments completely align with Alberta’s Recovery Plan to build, diversify and create jobs. Developing and commercializing new technologies in the construction sector will build the Alberta of the future, using the same entrepreneurship and innovation that has made Alberta the engine of Canada’s economy.”
“Our shift towards green technologies is both the right thing to do for our environment and the smart thing to do for our economy. This investment from Western Economic Diversification Canada will support good, well-paying jobs in communities across Alberta while helping the province’s construction industry stay on the cutting edge. It will help many small and medium-sized businesses across the province innovate and grow while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and I’m excited to see the difference it will make.”
“This initiative will develop building and construction technologies that will transform the way people in all sectors will interact with the structures in which they live and work. This is a great example of how innovation around energy efficiency can drive new markets for construction activity and growth.”
Alberta’s Recovery Plan is a bold, ambitious long-term strategy to build, diversify, and create tens of thousands of jobs now. By building schools, roads and other core infrastructure we are benefiting our communities. By diversifying our economy and attracting investment with Canada’s most competitive tax environment, we are putting Alberta on a path for a generation of growth. Alberta came together to save lives by flattening the curve and now we must do the same to save livelihoods, grow and thrive.
