An image of the University of Guelph's planned Sustainable Crop Research and Innovation Centre, set to be built in Ridgetown, January 11, 2016 (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)An image of the University of Guelph's planned Sustainable Crop Research and Innovation Centre, set to be built in Ridgetown, January 11, 2016 (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
Chatham

CK Backs New Research Centre

Chatham-Kent will have some money ready for the University of Guelph once they break ground on a new research centre in Ridgetown.

The budget committee has resolved to allocate $1.5-million over five years for the facility, that will be built at the Ridgetown campus. To start, $200,000 will be put aside in 2016, with $350,000 being allocated each year for the next four years.

Councillor and farmer Leon LeClair says Ridgetown will benefit from the spinoff effects the new centre will provide.

"There's only two agriculture colleges left in Ontario," explains LeClair. "Ridgetown needs to grow. They're going to be getting more business with the professors coming on board, the students coming on board, [it's a] win-win."

LeClair adds this only expands upon CK's agricultural track record.

"Agriculture is Ontario's leading provider. There's a need for graduates, and the industry is looking for this. We're offering a solution to a need for industry," says LeClair.

The money will be made available once CK and the college go through the finer details of the grant.

On Wednesday council also rescinded the hiring of a new fire inspector that was proposed earlier this week. That puts the current 2016 tax impact at a 3.12% increase.

Council will resume, and potentially end budget deliberations Thursday at 6pm.

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