CONFEDERATION COLLEGE
Thunder Bay CEDC Commits $500,000 to Confederation College's TEC Hub

Thunder Bay's Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) announced a $500,000 commitment in support of Confederation College's Technology, Education and Collaboration (TEC) Hub today (4/7) .

"The CEDC was happy to approve $500,000 in spending for the Confederation College TEC Hub because it will contribute to the development of a skilled, employment ready technology and trades workforce for northwestern Ontario," said Doug Murray, CEO of the Thunder Bay CEDC.

Keith Hobbs, Mayor of the City of Thunder Bay, applauded the decision. "Confederation College's TEC Hub will help to connect students with industry in our city and will foster new and stronger collaborations locally and regionally. Through the support of the Thunder Bay CEDC, we are proud to be a part of this innovative project focusing on skills training, manufacturing and entrepreneurship."

Confederation College President Jim Madder, expressed his appreciation. "The Thunder Bay CEDC is a longstanding and valued partner of Confederation College and we are incredibly grateful for their significant contribution towards this project. Our TEC Hub will enable us to reach more students and further prepare them with the training needed to meet the growing demand for skilled workers in our region. These dollars demonstrate the CEDC's commitment to advancing education and innovation in our community and northwestern Ontario."

The Technology, Education and Collaboration Hub will include three main clusters: industry skills and sustainability instruction, advanced manufacturing technology, innovation and incubation. In addition to providing skills training and post-secondary programming, the facility will host vibrant research, incubation and technology transfer services to support the region's advanced manufacturing, technology and resource sectors. 

The $19 million project has received funding from the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, the Thunder Bay CEDC and Confederation College. Currently in development, the TEC Hub is slated for completion in the spring of 2018. A ground breaking ceremony will take place later this month. For more information, visit www.confederationcollege.ca/TEC-Hub.

Photo From left: Confederation College's Vice President, College Services Ken Adams and President Jim Madder, City of Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs, and the Thunder Bay CEDC's Board Member Peter Marchl and Senior Development Officer Richard Pohler

Confederation College has been serving the citizens of northwestern Ontario since 1967 meeting the educational needs of students in a catchment area of some 550,000 square kilometres. Along with its main campus in Thunder Bay, Confederation College has eight regional sites located in Dryden, Fort Frances, Geraldton, Kenora, Marathon, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake and Wawa. 

Confederation College delivers exceptional education and training to an average of 7,800 combined full and part-time students per year and currently has a total of 805 full and part-time employees. Confederation's regional economic impact and contribution is valued at $411.2 million annually.

Confederation College is proudly celebrating its 50^th Anniversary in 2017. For more information, visit www.confederationcollege.ca.