We've talked about the biomed industry as being one source of employment in Winnipeg. We also know Agi is also an important foundation of our economy. It looks like it might be getting even bigger:
A new cereal grains research centre touted for U of M's Smartpark would become a magnet for the best scientific brains, give Canadian farmers a competitive edge in the global marketplace and bring prestige to the city and the province, its backers say.
The unique facility -- which would cost up to $150 million and house up to 500 scientists and support staff in a building the size of four large Canadian Tire stores -- was given a conditional go-ahead from Ottawa on Friday.
It would combine the talents of six now-scattered Winnipeg-based groups and agencies and include plant breeders, product development and quality control personnel plus technical experts who can show domestic and international customers how to use Canadian grain in their processing plants.
"It would put Winnipeg and Manitoba on an international scale for research in the grain crops area," said Digvir Jayas, a grain storage expert and associate vice-president of research at the University of Manitoba, one of six partners in the venture.