MEDIA RELEASE: October 5 2023 – R0089

Brock University will celebrate its industry connections next week while marking the official opening of its innovative institute dedicated to supporting southern Ontario businesses.

A grand opening event and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held for the Brock-Niagara Validation, Prototyping and Manufacturing Institute (VPMI) on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 10 a.m. at Inniskillin Hall on the University’s main campus.

Members of the Brock community will come together with representatives from industry and all levels of government to learn more about the institute and all that it can aid businesses in achieving. 

The cutting-edge technology adoption centre, which has already begun connecting industry with researcher expertise and state-of-the-art equipment, was made possible by a $6-million investment announced in 2019 by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

Focused on the health and disease, agricultural, chemical manufacturing and environmental sectors, the VPMI works with a wide range of companies in Niagara and across southern Ontario to address challenges and introduce innovations in industry.

Speakers at the grand opening will include Lesley Rigg, Brock University President and Vice-Chancellor; Tim Kenyon, Vice-President, Research; Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines; Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre; and Joshua Clarke, Lead Chemist at Destiny Copper.

What: Grand opening of the Brock-Niagara Validation, Prototyping and Manufacturing Institute
When: Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 10 a.m.
Where: Inniskillin Hall, Brock University

Media are invited to attend the event and ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the space.

For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

* Doug Hunt, Communications and Media Relations Specialist, Brock University dhunt2@brocku.ca or 905-941-6209

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