Montréal, September 3, 2013 ‒ The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal applauds the major investment announced today by the Government of Québec and Université de Montréal to build the Complexe des sciences on the Outremont campus.
“The knowledge economy is one of the pillars of the metropolitan area’s economy,” says Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “This is why it is essential that our universities have state-of-the-art infrastructures and equipment. The total investment of $350 million ‒ $173.4 million of it from the Government of Québec ‒ announced today for building the brand new Université de Montréal’s science complex is excellent news for the city and for all of Québec.”
“This building will reinforce Montréal’s already strong reputation as a university city,” Mr. Leblanc says. “Every year, Montréal’s nine university institutions receive 184,000 students, putting us in second place among North American cities in terms of number of students per capita. Once the science complex opens its doors, which is scheduled for 2018, it will house 1,600 professors, researchers, staff members and students. Research projects in leading-edge fields will take place in an environment that is much better suited to present-day needs and realities.”
“This investment will also revitalize a previously abandoned industrial neighbourhood,” Mr. Leblanc says. “Already hundreds of businesses in the high-tech and creative industries have moved into the area’s old industrial buildings, Moment Factory for one. The science complex will help consolidate and develop an ecosystem that promotes local knowledge institutions and innovative businesses. This is an important step in revitalizing a neighbourhood that ultimately will be able to stake its fortunes on these institutions, real estate development and the proximity of metro stations. We should also point out the Ville de Montréal’s support, as its $152 million investment in neighbourhood infrastructure will offer the new building a dynamic environment that is full of potential.”
“We take our hats off to Université de Montréal, which showed remarkable leadership in raising the private funding needed for the project,” Mr. Leblanc says. “We thank the donors who are helping to support Montréal’s knowledge economy. This exemplary collaboration between the university, the Government of Québec and the Ville de Montréal must continue by bringing the project in on budget and on time.”
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of some 7,000 members. Its mission is to represent the interests of the business community of Greater Montréal and to provide individuals, merchants, and local businesses of all sizes with a variety of specialized services to help them achieve their full potential in terms of innovation, productivity, and competitiveness. The Board of Trade is Quebec's leading private economic development organization.
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Source:
Michelle LLambias Meunier
Advisor, Communications
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4042
mllambias@ccmm.qc.ca
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