The college-led Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI) received $4 million from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to build capacity in southern Ontario’s advanced manufacturing sector.
The funds announced October 16 in Welland support SONAMI as it continues to bring technical and industry leadership, equipment, expertise and solutions to participating manufacturers across southern Ontario with a focus on clean growth.
As a member of SONAMI, Conestoga will receive a portion of the funding for projects in the SMART Centre, a dedicated hub for applied research, technical services and training with a focus on advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity and advanced recycling technologies.
The announcement was made by Vance Badawey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, along with Chris Bittle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, on behalf of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario.
“We are pleased this important network will receive continued investment and we are excited for the impact it will have on manufacturers and related businesses in the communities we serve in Milton and Waterloo Region,” said Conestoga’s Michelle Chrétien, vice president, Research. “The funds will support research and innovation projects with regional businesses and are focussed on outcomes that include sustainable growth, job creation and increased productivity.”
SONAMI is a network of post-secondary institutions that collaborate with small and medium-sized companies to tackle their manufacturing-related challenges. The network conducts projects that provide innovative solutions, leveraging faculty, students and state-of-the-market equipment with funding from the federal government to support manufacturing in Canada.
“The important work being done by the SONAMI network of post-secondary institutions in collaboration with businesses will have impacts throughout Ontario,” said Minister Tassi. “The Government of Canada is pleased to support these significant investments in the manufacturing sector. These contributions not only reflect our dedication to promoting innovation and sustainable economic growth, but also emphasize the tremendous potential of our region’s manufacturers.”
Other members of SONAMI include Centennial College, Fanshawe College, Fleming College George Brown College, Lambton College, McMaster University, Mohawk College, Niagara College, Queen’s University and Sheridan College.