Niagara College is pleased to announce a significant investment aimed at advancing manufacturing in southern Ontario. On October 16, 2024, Niagara College received $4 million from the Federal Economic Development Agency for southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to support the Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI). This 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.
With this new funding, SONAMI will further build the capacity of southern Ontario's advanced manufacturing sector with an emphasis on clean growth through programming that supports commercialization, scaling of firms, and fostering innovation solutions. In addition, the network plans to develop the future workforce and talent by engaging and training students on real-world projects with participating companies, acting as a hub for clients and partners to support industry needs through referrals and collaborations. The project will support federal key priorities by collaborating with partners and stakeholders to drive emerging growth opportunities and industrial transition in areas such as zero-emissions vehicles, clean growth, and advanced manufacturing. Additionally, the collaborative applied research and development projects will enhance greater diversity and inclusion in economic growth.
SONAMI plans to build upon the current regional ecosystem to bring robust technical and industry leadership, equipment, expertise, and solutions to manufacturers across southern Ontario. Through a "single-window" service model, SONAMI partners will offer specific expertise areas, allowing companies to access a broad range of knowledge and resources across its network.
Since 2016, SONAMI has been awarded $21.3M from FedDev Ontario, leveraging over $31.5M from its network members and industry partners (companies within the manufacturing industry). The wide-spanning network completed over 460 applied research projects, with over 379 industry partners (companies), creating and/or maintaining over 871 permanent jobs, engaging over 660 students in experiential learning opportunities. With the newly awarded funding, the network aims to support up to 90 businesses as they work to commercialize 45 new products, services, or processes. In addition, its goal is to create and maintain an additional 90 permanent and temporary jobs and provide skills training and development for 130 students and researchers, preparing young Canadians for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
Quotes
"The important work being done by the SONAMI network of post-secondary institutions in collaboration with businesses will have impacts throughout Ontario. 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."
– The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)
"I'm incredibly proud to see these substantial investments in the manufacturing sector across southern Ontario. By supporting our region's innovative spirit and expanding production facilities, we are ensuring that the region remains a key player in Canada's manufacturing landscape, particularly with the vital contributions of SONAMI."
-Vance Badawey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre
"This support for the manufacturing sector in southern Ontario will be transformative for local businesses. As we continue to champion growth and innovation throughout the region, these investments will help position our region as a hub of manufacturing excellence, bolstered by the important work of SONAMI."
-Chris Bittle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for St. Catharines
"On behalf of Niagara College, we're grateful to FedDev Ontario for their continued investment in SONAMI. We are proud to have become a key resource for advanced manufacturing applied research in southern Ontario. With this new investment, we will further leverage the regional ecosystem to bring robust technical and industry leadership, equipment, expertise, and solutions to manufacturers across southern Ontario, and give students valuable real-world job experience to help them succeed in their future careers. This investment will enhance our focus on clean growth outcomes, ensuring sustainable and innovative advancements in the manufacturing sector."
- Sean Kennedy, President, Niagara College
Quick facts
- Led by Niagara College, SONAMI is a network of 11 postsecondary institutions including Centennial College, Conestoga College, Fanshawe College, Fleming College, George Brown College, Lambton College, McMaster University, Mohawk College, Sheridan College, and Queen's University.
- To date, SONAMI has worked with more than 375 businesses to commercialize more than 270 new products, services and processes.
- Since 2016, SONAMI has been awarded $21.3M from FedDev Ontario, leveraging over $31.5M from its network members and industry partners (companies within the manufacturing industry). Niagara College received the 2019 Research Partnership Award from the Canadian Association of Research Administrators (CARA) for the significant impact SONAMI has had on the regional economy.
- FedDev Ontario's non-repayable contribution is leveraging $4 million in funding, with $5.5 million from SONAMI member post-secondary institutions and $4.8 million from industry collaborators.
- Review SONAMI's success stories
- Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $885 million in 415 manufacturing projects, supporting over 26,000 jobs.
The Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI) is a Niagara College-led network of postsecondary institutions, who, through their respective Research and Innovation Centres, collaborate with small- and medium-sized companies to tackle their manufacturing-related challenges. SONAMI leverages faculty, students, and state-of-the-market equipment, together with funding from the Federal Government, to support manufacturing in Canada. Learn more at sonami.ca.
For 15 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada's most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our investment profiles, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario's X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 100 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is ranked Canada's No.1 research college. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca
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