THUNDER BAY -- A single line item embedded in Thursday's provincial budget is a headline for Confederation College.
The province committed to building the Technology, Education and Collaboration Hub, a arena-like extension to the college's McIntyre Building that will allow students to work with a slate of moveable, larger and more diverse machinery.
Although college president Jim Madder hasn't heard funding specifics from Queen's Park, he said his staff requested $10 million in provincial funding when the project was proposed.
"We're absolutely thrilled. We've been working on this one for a while," Madder said.
"The fact that they're supporting manufacturing and innovation here is fantastic."
Once constructed, the building will play host to operations currently stationed in the ACE building at the Thunder Bay International Airport. Madder said that would combine equipment of interest to students with faculty needs.
"If you went to our current space at the airport, it's jammed-packed. I couldn't add any more students to it," he said.
"There's demand for the expansion of that program internationally and to expand certain elements of manufacturing as well."
Student Union of Confederation College Inc. President Chris Cartwright said a growing technology sector at the college will have a positive effect for the city beyond the students who are directly involved.
"I think that's some fantastic news for Thunder Bay that the college will be growing in terms of attracting more students to Thunder Bay, especially in trades and apprenticeship," he said.
