Bruce Power and Bruce County Council are bringing a new partner into their shared economic development agreement.
The two sides renewed their agreement for an additional five years, while announcing the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries is joining the initiative as an equal partner.
Bruce Power's executive vice president of corporate affairs and operational services James Scongack said the original economic development agreement was focused on attracting nuclear suppliers to the region to support the major component replacement.
With more than 50 suppliers set up in the Bruce, Grey and Huron County region, Scongack said the focus can turn to help those suppliers expand and provide their expertise to the nuclear industry around the world.
"Ontario's nuclear industry is very respected, and we believe leveraging what we have at the Bruce site, leveraging the 50-plus suppliers we have in the area, this isn't only an Ontario success story, this is a Canadian and an international success story," said Scongack. "We want these companies, of course meeting [Bruce Power's] needs, but meeting the needs of the industry globally."
OCNI President and CEO Ron Oberth said they can offer better access to international markets, particularly for smaller companies looking to expand.
"We help our suppliers not only succeed here in Bruce County, and on the Darlington [refurbishment] project, but we help them identify opportunities offshore, we take them on trade missions, we organize meetings for them," said Oberth. "We've also got some funding from the federal government that will help small companies."
Left to right: Bruce Power Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs & Operational Services James Scongack, Bruce County Warden Mitch Twolan and OCNI President and CEO Ron Oberth sign a five-year extension of the regional economic development partnership. May 2nd, 2019 (Photo by Jordan Mackinnon)