RADF Investment: $1 million

Other Investment: $1,010,000

Total Investment: $2.01 million

Project Period: May 2010–December 2013

T: 780.514.2562
E: [email protected]

Project Description

This project is an investment in the first applied-research consortium focused on a bio-economy in Alberta. Support from the Rural Alberta Development Fund will help create a Bio-Mile Centre of Excellence in Drayton Valley that supports the unique needs of bio-industries in the region. The centre will help commercialize new technologies and implement bio-industry-based applied research. It will also provide specialized training and support to develop labour skills required for this sector.

Expected Outcomes and Benefits

All projects go through a selection process to ensure they will improve the quality of life for Albertans. This project meets this objective through the following outcomes and benefits:

• Develop a specialized knowledge resource for bio-industry in Alberta
• Develop an innovative business incubation model that can be adapted by other communities in Alberta
• Increase employment opportunities in the Drayton Valley region
• Create a Web-based portal and a database of expert knowledge
• Draw more employment and business investment to Drayton Valley and area
• Proponent is working with local industry and academia to coordinate industry's needs to be tailored with the education and training provided at the future Clean Energy and Technology Centre.
• Memorandums of Understanding between the current tenants; Weyerhauser and TTS Inc. (fibre mat plant) and potential tenants, Mascoma and Catchlight to have projects housed within the BIO-ARCC.