The Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of the Environment, announced today that the provincial government has approved $1,326,500 in funding to support the local DNA Cluster initiative.
Minister Dombrowsky made the announcement at a news conference at Trent University on behalf of the Honourable John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The funding is part of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing's Ontario Small Town and Rural (OSTAR) Development Initiative.
Trent University will lead the 'PATHFINDER' initiative (Peterborough and Trent Headquarters for an Innovation Network in DNA Education and Research) in collaboration with the Greater Peterborough Region DNA Cluster, Fleming College and public and private sector partners.
OSTAR funding will be used by PATHFINDER to cover the pre-construction phase of the project, primarily engineering, design, architectural support and project management.
Commenting on today's OSTAR announcement, Bonnie M. Patterson, President and Vice-Chancellor of Trent University emphasized that as organizations look to the future, multi-lateral partnerships are becoming increasingly important. "The DNA Cluster is built upon a strong partnership between Trent University, Fleming College, the community's economic development agency and private sector partners," said President Patterson. "Through the PATHFINDER program, the provincial government has demonstrated leadership by supporting Peterborough's cluster initiative which will add to Ontario's prosperity." The president added that with provincial government's support, Trent University is developing a critical mass of expertise in the DNA forensics field that can add to its research capabilities and create new opportunities for the commercialization of research.
Posted November 1, 2004
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