Innovation and technology development is burgeoning in the Thompson Region, thanks to nearly $890,000 in Western Diversification Program (WDP) funding.

The investment was announced today by Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

Funding for Thompson Rivers University (TRU) will purchase equipment to help local organizations and industry commercialize new bioproducts, value-added food products and analytical techniques. Until now, access to such equipment has not been available regionally.

“Supporting organizations like Thompson Rivers University in innovation and applied research is vital to the success of a knowledge-based economy,” said MP McLeod. “Today’s investment in equipment will benefit not only the University, but Kamloops and British Columbia as a whole.”

Dr. Don Noakes, TRU AVP Research and Graduate Studies; Dr. Tom Dickinson, Dean Faculty of Science; Christopher Seguin, TRU Advancement; and Cathy McLeod, MP Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo during the funding announcement.

Equipment includes a low-temperature incubating facility (to help culture and identify bacteria), a highly complex mass spectrometer (identifies compounds in solid products), and meat research and development equipment.

The equipment will support the many local small- and medium-sized enterprises who are closely linked to the agriculture, bio-product and natural resource sectors.

“Western Economic Diversification’s significant support of this project continues to enhance TRU’s 40-year tradition of research and teaching and its ability to support industry in the Interior of BC,” said TRU President and Vice-Chancellor Alan Shaver. “This funding fosters innovation leading to new products that increase business productivity and competitiveness through improved processes and relevant training.”

“TRU has evolved over the last four decades with the goal of always supporting the needs of our region while at the same time looking beyond and into the future.  Integrating research with teaching and learning is one of our university’s strategic goals and this announcement is another positive step forward in that direction,” said Dr. Donald Noakes, AVP Research and Graduate Studies.

“The new analytical tools enabled by WED have expanded the capacity and potential of TRU and our region for discovery and innovation. Just as importantly, we are now able to broaden the opportunities for our students to do applied research that leads to immediate and direct outcomes,” said TRU Dean of Science, Dr. Tom Dickinson. “As a result, our grads have gained a national reputation for their skills and competence on some of the most technically sophisticated analytical equipment in the world.”

Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and advances the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.