1. New Development Approach Will Fuel Knowledge Park Growth

    April 23, 2009 by AURP Canada

    April 23, 2009 – Fredericton-based Knowledge Park is announcing a new development approach aimed at helping fast-track the high-tech Park’s growth.  The approach will offer local, regional, and national developers new, almost shovel-ready, construction projects that could meet the needs of their own customers or those of Knowledge Park.

    “It’s a natural evolution in terms of our growth and development.  The model we’re adopting is one that very successful research and technology Parks have benefitted from,” says Dr. Greg Kealey, President of the Knowledge Park Board of Directors.

    Given the potential economic impact of the Park’s long-term plan, forecasted to be close to 5,000 jobs, and $166 million in wages and salaries, Kealey says now is the time to accelerate the Park’s growth.  The operational impact alone of the 17 planned buildings is estimated to be $414 million in provincial output, resulting in a contribution of $255 million to New Brunswick’s GDP and tax revenues of $75.4 million.

    The new approach offers economic benefits for developers, says Noreen Barwise, long-time Fredericton-based commercial real estate veteran.

    “They can save time and money on normal upfront costs given that long-term plans are in place, environmental assessment impact studies are completed, and some development barriers are removed – advantages that can eliminate a significant portion of professional costs,” Barwise says, “The approach has a new kind of appeal, one not often seen in this area.   It can be a solid revenue generator for smart developers willing to find the right clients.”

    Developers can take advantage of two options: submit a proposal to develop for their own client(s), or respeond to a Knowledge Park RFP seeking a developer for a client looking to move to the Knowledge Park.

    Knowledge Park’s new development approach is modeled after one that helped grow the Waterloo Research and Technology Park from one to six buildings in just five years, with two more scheduled to be completed in 2010.

    “Once we made the decision to transition to a multi-developer approach, we experienced steady growth,” says Carol Stewart, Vice President of Waterloo Research and Technology Park.

    Waterloo Park’s private developer Adrian Conrad knows first-hand the benefits of the approach. “The private sector tends to do better than the public sector in terms of maximizing efficiencies and offering the flexibility multi-tenant buildings require,” Conrad says.

    He notes that while some developers remain hesitant about land-lease agreements, it is very common in Europe and is, in reality, an asset just as owned land is, in terms of one’s ability to finance and/or sell.

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    www.KnowledgePark.ca: Knowledge Park is an economic development initiative designed to support the knowledge industry in the Province of New Brunswick. Its principle objective is to provide cluster opportunities to organizations engaged in research and the application of technologies in such sectors as information technology, biotechnology, engineering, health care, forestry, environment, advanced learning and more. Knowledge Park was founded in 1997.

    Media Contact:

    Laura O’Blenis, General Manager
    Direct: (506) 462-5021, Laura.oblenis@knowledgepark.ca

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  2. More People working at Saskatchewan’s research parks

    April 22, 2009 by Austin Beggs

    April 16, 2009 - The clients at the three Innovation Place locations in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert contributed more than $647 million to the provincial economy in 2008 according to an economic impact study. This is an increase of nine per cent from 2007 and is due to a significant increase in the number of people working at Innovation Place.

    The rate of new Saskatchewan jobs created in Innovation Place during 2008 approached 15 per cent outpacing the overall provincial growth rate of three per cent. Currently, there are 185 technology companies and business organizations employing 4,300 people at the research parks in Saskatoon and Regina and the Forest Centre building in Prince Albert.

    “The expansion of existing companies and the addition of new startup companies at Innovation Place facilities speak to the strength of the province’s knowledge economy,” Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart said. “We are confident Innovation Place will continue to create, encourage and facilitate business opportunities for Saskatchewan’s vibrant technology sector.”

    Seven startup companies moved into Innovation Place in 2008 and six companies relocated from outside the province. The majority of Innovation Place clients are small organizations with 60 per cent of them employing 10 people or less.

    “The economic impact study shows that our clients are growing, which is very good news for the province” Innovation Place President and CEO Douglas Tastad said. “We are committed to providing the infrastructure, services and support needed for our clients to be successful.”

    Innovation Place is the operating name for Saskatchewan Opportunities Corporation and is mandated to encourage and facilitate business opportunities in Saskatchewan through the development of research parks.

    The economic impact study was conducted and analyzed by Insightrix Research Services Inc. of Saskatoon. By using information such as the purchase of local goods and services and staff salaries they determined the economic impact of the clients’ activities, based upon an economic model developed at the University of Saskatchewan. The survey cost $7,823.

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    For more information, contact:

    Austin Beggs
    Innovation Place
    Saskatoon
    Phone: 306-933-7476
    Email: austin@innovationplace.com
    Cell: 306-227-1636

    Corrin Harper
    Insightrix Research Services
    Saskatoon
    Phone: 306-657-5640

    Backgrounder: http://www.gov.sk.ca/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?mediaID=784&PN=Shared

     

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  3. Celebrating Ottawa’s millions for IQC

    April 21, 2009 by AURP Canada

      aurp-post-04-08-09

    April 8, 2009 – Gary Goodyear, federal minister of state for science and technology, came to campus yesterday (above) to celebrate the $50 million government contribution to UW’s Institute for Quantum Computing that was announced in the federal budget in January. The event was held at IQC’s temporary quarters at 475 Wes Graham Way on the north campus.

    “The investment,” said a news release, “furthers the Government of Canada’s long-term commitment to fostering excellence in science and technology through its national S&T Strategy.”

    It quoted Goodyear: “This strategic investment will help make Canada a global leader in the field of quantum technology and attract some of the best and brightest researchers and students from Canada and around the world. With this investment, the IQC will be better positioned to build on existing successes and contribute to Canada’s global advantage by helping to create jobs, improve the quality of life for all Canadians and strengthen the economy for future generations.”

    More from the federal news release: “The IQC, already a symbol of Canada’s achievement in information and communication technology, will now be in a better position to strengthen Canada’s reputation as a pioneer in the field of quantum information. The IQC’s plans include developing applications and devices for commercialization that will, for example, replace the present generation of computers with devices that may factor large numbers 10,000 times faster than today’s computers.

    “Through this $50-million investment, the IQC will be able to build, purchase and recruit the resources needed to lead the world towards the next generation of computer technology. As an integrated centre for research, the Institute will support the training of highly qualified personnel and the development of new knowledge. The IQC will foster a multi-disciplinary approach and promote collaboration among scientists as well as industry and government partners, an approach that could yield profound discoveries.”

    Said the centre’s director, Ray Laflamme: “IQC is proud of the recognition both from the Government of Canada and the international research community in quantum information science. We are determined to be at the forefront on the leading edge of research in a field of tremendous potential for the future of Canada.”

    In May 2007, the release noted, the prime minister issued the federal government’s national S&T Strategy, Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada’s Advantage, “setting out a multi-year framework to improve Canada’s long-term competitiveness and quality of life. The Strategy includes a commitment to attract and retain talent, support world-leading research and ensure that research discoveries are transformed into practical applications.

    “As a part of its ongoing support for this strategy, the government has pledged over $2.2 billion in new S&T funding. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides more than $5.1 billion toward S&T initiatives. This measure will contribute to the creation of a stronger, more innovative economy and a more prosperous Canada.”

     

     

    Carol Stewart | UW Research + Technology Park | Bus: 519.888.4567 x36339 | BB: 519.498.1664 | castewar@uwaterloo.ca | rtpark.uwaterloo.ca |

     

     

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  4. Board to approve new research building

    by AURP Canada

    April 8, 2009 – The UW Board of Governors will meet this afternoon with an agenda that includes not just the 2009-10 budget but also a proposed new building on the north campus.

    It’s “Phase 2″ of the Research Advancement Centre, a second building to go up beside the one that opened a year ago at 475 Wes Graham Way. Phase 1 is serving as the temporary home of the Institute for Quantum Computing, as well as other research groups — and it’s not big enough, the board is being told.

    Hence the second building, which is being financed in an unusual way, according to a one-page report to the board from its building and properties committee. It says: “’Project Co,’ established by certain principals from RIM, is providing all capital funding.

    “The RAC Phase 1 building was constructed through the Board-approved design/build process by Cooper Construction and Akitt, Swanson + Pearce Architects Inc. based on a competitive selection process in the spring of 2007. The Design Build Stipulated Price Contract with Cooper was $8,150,500 (plus GST). The site plan approved by the City of Waterloo contemplated twin buildings on a single 6-acre site with the RAC Phase 2 building to be sited just west and slightly south of RAC Phase 1 to enhance the visual impact of the curtain wall system.

    “To meet the pressing need for interim space until the Quantum-Nano Centre is completed (together with other UW research needs), Project Co is prepared to fund the construction of RAC Phase 2 up to the maximum budget approved by them (which may include improvements which exceed the original RAC Phase 1 specification). It is currently anticipated that this budget amount is approximately $10.5 million.

    “UW will have use of the majority of the building space for the first six years following substantial completion and Project Co (or its affiliate) would occupy one-half of a floor for years 1-3 and one full floor for years 4-6. Following UW’s use period, Project Co would have a 49-year land lease of the site (approx. 3 acres) including the building. In lieu of land rent (which would normally be paid by a R+T Park developer throughout the term of the land lease), UW’s use during the initial six-year period would be rent free (equivalent net present value).”

     Carol Stewart | UW Research + Technology Park | Bus: 519.888.4567 x36339 | BB: 519.498.1664 | castewar@uwaterloo.ca | rtpark.uwaterloo.ca |

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  5. Performance Plants branches out

    April 5, 2009 by AURP Canada

    “Weatherproofing crops” is how Malcolm Devine describes his company’s work at Innovation Place in Saskatoon.  Devine is the Vice President, Agricultural Crops for Performance Plants, Inc., a global leader in agricultural and biofuel technology, which has already developed and patented a host of new traits for plants promoting increased yields even under unusually hot, dry conditions, a common occurrence today with the effects of climate change.

    The latest innovative crop trait from the company’s Technology Development Pipeline is the Water Efficiency Technology™ (WET™) enabling plants to vigorously grow and produce the same amount of yield with less water, thereby cutting down on irrigation requirements.  While the traits may eventually inserted into soybean, cotton, rice or corn, they are being initially developed in canola because of its relative ease in incorporating genetic transformations.

    Saskatoon’s expertise in canola development is what initially prompted the Kingston based company to establish its crop development centre in Saskatoon.  While Kingston is the discovery centre where they come up with the new genes and traits, Saskatoon is where those new genes are validated, a process being continually refined and perfected.  The company has over 100 issued and pending patents on its traits.

    “We have been very successful at trait transformation,” says Devine.  “As a result, we needed to bring more people to do the downstream analysis and testing of all this material; testing how it grown under different conditions as well as molecular analysis to confirm the gene is there doing what we expect it to be doing.”

    The company has licensed its breakthrough technologies to several of the world’s leading seed companies such as Syngenta, Stine, RiceTec and Scotts.  This increased capacity prompted Performance Plants to move into a larger lab and office space on the ground floor of the Atrium in Saskatoon, but this wasn’t the only expansion for the company in 2008.

    Last June, the company established an American Research Centre to develop specialized non-food crops for biofuel production, specifically converting biomass to cellulosic ethanol.  Rather than weatherproofing plans to increase seed production, the aim is to look at ways of improving biomass yield.

    “The traits we are working on will include some of the stress tolerant ones, but also others that simply enhance total plant biomass so you get more tonnes per acre,” says Devine. “We’re also working on a train that will result in easier conversion of cellulose to ethanol.”

    While all the biofuels work is currently focused at the American facility, Devine anticipates future opportunities in this area here in Saskatchewan.  He says cellulose ethanol production is a growth industry and there should be plenty of opportunities for collaboration on both crop testing and processing.

    The company recently announced a project it is leading will be receiving up to $5.5 million in funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada.  The funds will be used to advance its trait technologies that improve conversion of cellulose into cost-effective biofuels and biochemicals.

    This Canadian based firm is actively growing non-food biofuel crops to replace coal at Lafarge Canada Inc.’s cement plant in Bath, Ontario.  Performance Plants and Lafarge have a multi-year agreement to develop and grow clean energy biomass.

    For more information about Performance Plants, please go to www.performanceplants.com.

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  6. Man of Influence

    by AURP Canada

    Malcolm Wilson’s influence in making Regina a centre of excellence for studies in energy and the environment has been recognized by Sask Business Magazine who named him one of the province’s “Top 10 Men of Influence.”

    Wilson is currently serving as the Director of the University of Regina’s Office of Energy and Environment, one of the University’s research centres, which recently moved into the second floor of the addition to 2 Research Drive.

    He also acts as Director of the International Test Centre for Carbon Dioxide Capture, was involved in the initiation and development of the International Energy Agency Greenhouse Gas Project Weyburn-Midale Monitoring and Storage Project and was founder of the Prairie Adaptation Network and Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative.  Wilson is also one of the principle developers of the Petroleum Technology Research Centre. 

    Congratulations to Dr. Wilson.

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  7. MPT Mustard Products & Technologies

    by AURP Canada

    Saskatchewan produces nearly half of the world’s supply of mustard seed but much of it is shipped away to be processed elsewhere.  There’s a new start-up company at Innovation Place in Saskatoon wanting to change that.  The founders of MPT Mustard Products & Technologies are using mustard as an effective, non-toxic, biodegradable pesticide.

    “A lot of my previous work was looking at pesticide runoff in the Caribbean, and it became pretty obvious there was a real need for an alternative,” says Jay Robinson, President of MPT Mustard Products & Technologies. “Not only are the synthetic pesticides expensive, a lot of them are being banned or phased out so the market is in need of replacements.”

    The use of mustard as a cover crop is most common practice around the world. Simply put, farmers plant mustard seeds, let the crop grow until it flowers and then till it all back into the soil.  The mustard not only adds nutrients to the soil, it also kills soils pests like nematodes, fungi and pathogens.  Robinson took that idea and developed a process to concentrate mustard’s effects both and a fertilizer and a pesticide.

    After five years of research, development and testing, MPT Mustard & Technologies recently received Canadian Food Inspection Agency approval for their biofertilizer product known as Green-Envy.  The Canadian distribution system is set up and they are targeting large users like golf courses and city park departments as well as home gardeners and organic farmers.  They are still awaiting approval from the Environmental
    Protection Agnecy in the United States. 

    While pleased to get the first product into the marketplace, Robinson says the company’s primary focus will be their biopesticide which is expected to receive approval shortly.

    MPT Mustard Products & Technologies has big plans for the future.  “The next step is designing an integrated pest management plan that will include six to eight products for use on different crops in a variety of applications.”

    For more information on MPT Mustard Products & Technologies go to www.mptmustardproducts.com.

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