Bruce Power's President and CEO told the annual Regional Economic Development and Innovation Summit he's excited about what lies ahead for the region.
Mike Rencheck said the giant power producer continues to work with stakeholders in Bruce, Grey and Huron counties to build a nuclear energy economic hub in the region. He said the Major Component Replacement Project in January will help sustain the company as a world leader in the nuclear sector. He pointed to the search for new applications for medical isotopes, and the opportunities available in several areas through the establishment of the Nuclear Innovation Institute.
Representatives of provincial and municipal governments, industry executives and local suppliers were among more than 200 attendees at the fourth annual summit in Cobble Beach Friday.
In the meantime, Thursday's Nuclear Job Fair and Information Session in Owen Sound attracted more than 1,000 people and 38 exhibitors made up of nuclear suppliers, trade unions, colleges and employment agencies.
During the Summit, the 59 suppliers of Bruce Power who have established a local presence in were recognized for their investment in local communities.
Bruce Wallace, the recently named president and CEO of the Nuclear Innovation Institute, and Ron Oberth, president and CEO of the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI) discussed the growth of the nuclear cluster in the Tri-County (Bruce, Grey and Huron) region. NII announced on Monday that BWXT and ES Fox are joining Bruce Power, the County of Bruce and Kinectrics as Founding Members of the Institute.
“MCR is the largest infrastructure project in Canada and represents the next phase of the Life Extension Program that started in 2016 and continues to be done on time and on budget,” Rencheck said. “But we’re doing so much more. We’re advocating for our communities, our region and our industry. We look forward to the many opportunities to promote growth and economic development throughout this entire region.
James Scongack, executive vice president, corporate affairs and operational services at Bruce Power, gave a presentation on Nuclear Leading the Fight Against Cancer.
“We’re looking at other applications for medical isotopes,” Rencheck said. “As Western medicine continues to expand into the third world, we will continue to see more need for medical isotopes for sterilization and targeted therapeutics."
Bill Walker, the provincial associate minister of energy and MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, participated in a fireside chat with Scongack.
“The work taking place at Bruce Power, whether it’s the Major Component Replacement, work on medical isotopes, or the production of emissions-free electricity for our province, continues to be a source of pride and excitement for our region,” Walker said. “I was proud to participate in this year’s summit to highlight how important Bruce Power is to our local economy through their investments in local communities, attracting new businesses to the region, and creating well-paying jobs here in Bruce, Grey and Huron counties.”