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The provincial and federal governments today announced $45.9 million in joint funding for building retrofits to make them energy efficient and upgrades on the Saint John campus of the New Brunswick Community College (ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë).

“The need for training in the skilled trades has never been greater than it is right now,” said Glen Savoie, minister responsible for la Francophonie. “That is why this investment in upgrades to training spaces and to make the campus more modern, energy efficient and welcoming is so important. When students graduate from high school, we want ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë to be a school of choice.”

Savoie spoke on behalf of Réjean Savoie, minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation.

The funding will support the expansion of the Industrial Trades Education Centre, upgrades to training spaces, the installation of five new electric vehicle charging stations and the decommissioning of existing buildings to accommodate the construction of a new courtyard. New additions to campus will include a lobby, an atrium, a learning common and a student services centre.

“Investments in infrastructure are investments in strong and sustainable communities,” said Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long. “Green energy retrofits and building upgrades on ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë’s Saint John campus will support a clean and sustainable future for students and residents alike. Green initiatives like this one will help local economies grow and build more resilient communities across the country.”

Long attended for federal Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Dominic LeBlanc.

The federal and provincial governments are each investing about $22.9 million into the project.

“This announcement is the result of a community-wide effort to address New Brunswick’s labour market challenges,” said Mary Butler, president and CEO of ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë. “The redevelopment does more than address today’s needs; we will increase training capacity and overall efficiency while decreasing our physical footprint, annual operating costs, and deferred maintenance.”

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Mary-Anne Hurley-Corbyn, communications Regional Development Corporation, 506-429-2624.

Tanya Greer, communications, New Brunswick Community College, 506-440-9105, tanya.greer@nbcc.ca.