News Release Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
July 15, 2008 - 117
McGuinty Government Supports New Tourism Centre
NEWS
A new tourism centre devoted to green technologies is being developed in Hearst with the support of the Ontario government.
The province is providing $2.3 million to the Town of Hearst to construct the Hearst Regional Green Technology Centre: $1.5 million from Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) and $800,536 from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Rural Economic Development Program. When complete, the centre is expected to create 31 full-time jobs.
This multiple-use facility will act as the focal point for research, demonstration and education programming on sustainable forestry practices and technologies. Through linkages with universities and colleges, the Centre will be used by the next generation of experts in the field of sustainability and green technologies. The Centre will be a completely self-sufficient green building, producing its own heat, water and power supply.
QUOTES
Our government is supporting Hearsts vision for a future featuring self-sufficiency and sustainability and this centre has the potential to play an integral role in helping this community achieve that future, said Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle, who is also the chair of the NOHFC.
The Hearst Regional Green Technologies Centre is just another example of how the McGuinty government is investing in the future of rural Ontario, said Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The green technologies and practices developed and taught here will benefit not only the local economy but also assist in addressing climate change.
QUICK FACTS
Every winter, approximately 2,000 snowmobilers load their sleds in baggage cars and travel to Hearst on the Algoma Central Railway.
LEARN MORE
Visit the Town of Hearst
This initiative is part of the Northern Prosperity Plan.
What is the Rural Economic Development Program
Anne-Marie Flanagan, Ministers Office, 416-327-0655Michel Lavoie, Communications Branch, 705-564-7125
ontario.ca/north-news
Project Synopsis: The Hearst Regional Green Technologies Centre
Summary
The Hearst Green Technologies Centre will celebrate advancements in a range of emerging green technologies with an emphasis on the conversion of cellulose fibre to ethanol, bio fuels and bio chemicals as well as new initiatives related to the research and commercialization of other non traditional forest products.
The centre will comprise of the following:
An entertainment/educational centre developed to take advantage of the growing awareness and interest in global climate change
A showcase for renewable sustainable clean energy: interactive exhibits, demonstrations, and concrete use of the technology by being a green building
A bioscience laboratory
A multi-media space to be used for temporary exhibits, bus groups, media events, meetings, and films
A fully equipped business incubator space
A visitor information kiosk and gift shop
A living wall exhibit featuring interpretation of local flora and fauna
Designed as an addition to the existing 3,200 square foot Tourist Welcome Centre, the Hearst Green Technologies Centre is poised to take advantage of significant savings in operating costs arising from support and management staff already in place and existing base budgets for customer service. Site servicing, parking and landscaping presently serving the Welcome Centre will also be used to satisfy the needs of the new facility which in turn allows avoiding duplication and hence, minimizing capital costs.
Priorities and objectives
The Hearst and Area Economic Development Corporation is committed to continuing its efforts to ensure that Hearst and area will play a prominent role in the new bio-economy.
The Center will provide easy access to information, tools and mentoring support to assist entrepreneurs in establishing successful businesses in the bio-economy sector.
Perspective 2020 InSight incorporates goals and objectives to ensure that a prosperous community is present for the current and future generations of Hearst
residents.
These goals and objectives include:
To develop tools and resources for rural economic development;
To reinforce and promote the perception/reality that Hearst is a forward-thinking community committed to moving into the NEW BIO-ECONOMY and create linkages with education and training sector;
To provide state-of-the-art infrastructure that will assist in attracting and retaining companies involved in the NEW BIO-ECONOMY;
To provide opportunities for technology transfer among new bio-economy based enterprises and academia;
To promote opportunities and provide support for local entrepreneurs to take their place in the new bio economy;
To improve the economic performance of the participating companies while minimizing their environmental impacts;
Establish Hearst as a year-round destination, structured on the community’s cultural heritage and outdoor adventure assets;
Achieve long term sustainable growth and community revitalization without compromise to the common values shared by all residents of the Town of Hearst;
The overall goal is to increase the skills, knowledge and resources to build capacity within the sector. Knowledge will be shared to implement measures to remove barriers in priority categories.
