THUNDER BAY -- Confederation College intends to ask the city for $500,000 this summer to bolster funding for its proposed Technology Education and Collaboration building.
College president Jim Madder appeared before City Council on Monday requesting a letter of support but he intends to return in June with the financial request.
Madder was surprised the 2016 provincial budget included $7 million toward the $20-million TEC building. The College is hoping it can reach $10 million in committed funds by the end of June so the project can be eligible for matching funding from the federal government that would cover the remaining expense.
"It's an innovation story, it's a manufacturing story, it increases access to innovation facilities for our local manufacturers," Madder said of the TEC proposal, which would be built as an extension of the McIntyre Building
"It increases opportunities for our students to actually work with those manufacturers so they get direct benefit."
Madder told council the Advanced Manufacturing, Aerospace Manufacturing, and Aircraft Maintenance programs are "jammed packed" and a new facility would increase enrolment by as many as 250 students.
International student demand is driving the expansion, he explained.
He foresees combining that growth with Thunder Bay investors who are ready to commit to churning new technology the college is producing into local industrial manufacturing.
"My goal for those ideas to be captured here locally rather than having those ideas go to Southern Ontario," he said.
City manager Norm Gale pointed out administration has not considered such a financial contribution in its budget.
Coun. Iain Angus said the June deadline gives administration time to discuss its options. He suggested there may be a full $500,000 in the 2017 budget or the commitment could be divided to $250,000 over two years.
"We have, in the past as a council, pre-committed to future years," he said.
"The economic impact of $20 million in construction costs in this community, we'll get that money back. Plus, the long-term economic benefits of having the college and having a new facility, that will last for years."
Northwood Coun. Shelby Ch'ng, whose ward includes Confederation College, said she's reluctant to support the financial request without first consulting her constituents.
"I've been given my marching orders from constituents as to what they'd like to see," she said.
"I really have to take this back to my Northwood people. I'm going to be bringing this up at my June 9 ward meeting. I'd really like to get their input before I say I'm going to support this."
