Niagara Region Chief Administrative Officer Ron Tripp (right) toured the Brock-Niagara Validating, Prototyping and Manufacturing Institute (VPMI) on Friday, Nov. 15 with VPMI Scientific Director Paul Zelisko. During his visit, Tripp learned more about how the institute connects industry with researcher expertise and state-of-the-art equipment, working with a wide range of Niagara companies in sectors such as cannabis, medication, and polymer and resin production. The tour also highlighted how VPMI aligns with the region’s long-term economic development strategy by supporting businesses with cost-effective testing and prototyping for early-stage manufacturing to help them expand and tackle new markets.