SAULT STE. MARIE – The Ontario government is providing $2 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV to complete a substantial campus renovation that will convert an existing building into the future home of the School of Engineering. This investment is creating a stronger Ontario by supporting higher learning and job creation and addressing labour market shortages in the province’s engineering sector.
“For years I have hoped that Sault Ste. Marie would one day have a School of Engineering to serve the needs of our advanced manufacturing sector. I was so proud to announce the partnership between Humber College and ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV that helped make this a reality. So many employers, like Algoma Steel and Tenaris, will be able to secure the talented workforce they need, while ensuring that youth in our city can obtain the skills they need for great jobs and be 'Home to Stay',” said Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. “With today's announcement, we are ensuring that the School of Engineering will be a state-of-the-art facility for our future graduates and workforce to study in.”
¶ˇĎăÔ°AV will use NOHFC funding to renovate 8,000 square feet of space to create new classrooms and labs that support the college’s engineering programs. By its fifth year of operation, the facility will accommodate an estimated 100 engineering students and have created a number of well-paying jobs for professors, lab instructors and program administrative staff.
"Today’s announcement is another important step and investment in ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV’s future and in the education of our learners,” said Dr. Ron Common, President ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV. “This new space will offer our students an all-encompassing learning environment with specialized, stateof-the-art equipment, labs and study spaces to further support our new, unique Bachelor of Engineering – Mechatronics program. Learners will have access to expanded experiential learning opportunities setting them up for future success in this exciting and emerging field. Thank you to Minister Romano and NOHFC for once again investing in our College and students.”
“By living and studying in Sault Ste. Marie, students are more likely to pursue a career in Northern Ontario upon graduation,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry. “Engineering graduates from ¶ˇĎăÔ°AV will help address the demand and labour market needs in the region.”
The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects – big and small, rural and urban – that stimulate growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $473 million in 4,244 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.5 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 6,600 jobs.
Quick Fact
In 2021, the Ontario government launched new and improved NOHFC programs that support more projects in rural northern communities and make it easier for more people and businesses to apply. The programs target existing and emerging markets, provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people and address the skilled labour shortage in the North.
Additional Resources
The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Small Business Enterprise Centres are available to support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and assist in accessing government funding programs.