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Dartmouth Coast Guard Base To Be Converted Into Ocean Innovation Centre

The newly established Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship is envisioned as a base for global leaders in ocean science and research working together with start-ups, research and development firms, industry and universities.

“COVE will help Nova Scotia make the most of its competitive advantages in the ocean sector,” Premier Stephen McNeil said in a news release.

“It will be a place where leaders in ocean science and research can work with NSCC (the Nova Scotia Community College), Dalhousie University, industry and others in a collaborative space where start-ups can be mentored and new technologies will be developed and sold around the world,”

Of the $19.7 million in funding for the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship, $7.17 million will come from the Ottawa and the remaining $12.55 is provincial money, which will cover capital costs.

Nova Scotia Community College president Don Bureaux said that together with project partners, he wanted to build a space where ocean enterprises can collaborate to get their ideas off the ground and grow into a thriving operation.

“It fits so well with the teaching, applied research and industry training work we do in oceans technology and advanced manufacturing at the college,” said Bureaux.

All told, universities and colleges throughout Nova Scotia will receive more than $130 million from both Ottawa and Halifax, the institutions themselves and private donors. Of this funding, Ottawa is contributing $60.3 million.

Federal funding will be allocated through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, aimed at enhancing and modernizing research facilities on Canadian campuses and improving their environmental sustainability.

“Investments like these in Atlantic Canada will support our world-class researchers and position Canada as a global leader in research excellence and innovation,” said federal Treasury Board President Scott Brison in a media release.

The announcement comes two months after Ottawa and the Atlantic provinces launched the Atlantic Growth Strategy to kickstart Atlantic Canada’s economy. The strategy includes support for infrastructure projects that support long-term growth and allow the region to make the most of new economic opportunities.