Fanshawe College's new Canadian Centre for Product Validation (CCPV) is getting an $8.11-million injection from the federal government.
The college says the centre will "be a one-of-a-kind facility in Canada offering a comprehensive prototyping and test facility in one central location."
The 20,000 square foot facility is valued at $16.2 million, and will sit on 35 acres of land donated by the city to Fanshawe and Western University.
Peter Devlin, president of Fanshawe College, says its creation means, “Fanshawe is well-positioned to help Canada capitalize on new opportunities supporting industry and business to retain and bring jobs and prosperity to our country, while building the skilled workforce of the future."
The centre will house leading-edge equipment and help numerous industries get new products to market, as well as training students for a range of skilled professions and supporting collaboration between the college and business.
It is expected be one-of-a-kind in Canada - offering full, developmental multi-modal (electrical, mechanical, environmental and thermal systems) testing of products in one location.
FedDev Ontario says the project will create 115 permanent jobs and 50 temporary jobs, including up to 105 jobs at companies that will benefit from the facility's testing services.
Construction is expecting to begin this spring, with a 2016 opening planned.
