December 8, 2009: The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) and Upper Lakes Environmental Research Network (ULERN) announced the integration of the two organizations today at SSMIC’s Ten Year Anniversary Celebration. In partnership with SSMIC, ULERN’s strong tradition of advancing the science research sector will continue and its current projects will be leveraged for continued growth in exciting new areas of science. With the integration, SSMIC will expand its science mandate to include the environmental sciences, renewable energy and bio-based products activities, previously covered by ULERN.

“The organizational integration of ULERN with SSMIC will have many important benefits for our science community,” said Dr. David DeYoe, acting director, ULERN. “The combination of ULERN’s established projects with SSMIC’s resources and partnerships will help the community as we continue to build momentum in our joint science initiatives. We’ve worked very closely with the Innovation Centre over the years and are looking forward to what can be accomplished under this new organizational structure.”

“ULERN has a strong history of excellence in the science research sector.” said Tom Vair, executive director, SSMIC. “Their mandate and objectives are a good fit with the Innovation Centre’s, and after working together over the last few years this was a natural step forward. We are very excited at the prospect of new projects and opportunities with the establishment of the new organizational structure.”

Founded in 1998, ULERN was the recipient of the 2007 Chamber of Commerce Environmental Award (under 50 employee category) and the 2002 Chamber of Commerce Community Capacity Building Award. During their 10 years in operation, ULERN:

* Helped create 245 jobs
* Facilitated over 35 Workshops/Conferences with a total attendance of over 9,200 people
* Generated over $18 million

Both ULERN and SSMIC share many mutual goals and initiatives. For example, ULERN’s goals to provide opportunities for networking and collaboration, acquire and lever funds for development and delivery of science and create jobs and northern economic development, are all in line with SSMIC’s mandate.

ULERN has also worked very closely with youth and ran a highly successful series of Youth Science Forum workshops featuring guest speakers Roberta Bondar, Severn Cullis-Suzuki, Bob MacDonald from Quirks and Quarks, and Jay Ingram from the Discovery Channel. They also coordinated projects involving species at risk such as the Corridors for Life project which was geared at protecting the wood turtle which is a species at risk in Ontario. Over the last few years ULERN has also run a series of Renewable Energy Workshops in partnership with the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA). The workshops are geared towards local small businesses, farmers and residents. Participants learn about the benefits of going green, how they can save money by conserving energy and take advantage of government rebate programs. They also learn about alternative energy and local alternative energy products and organizations. The workshops have been run in Hearst, Wawa, Echo Bay, North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie in the last year.

The new organizational structure will help ULERN and SSMIC streamline support services and better network in the science research sector. From an organizational perspective, Dr. DeYoe will be assisting with the transition and continue with certain joint projects in the future and Angie Wagner, administrative assistant/events coordinator will continue her position with SSMIC.

ULERN has been sharing office space with SSMIC since spring 2008 and the organizations have collaborated on many events and workshops including: Youth Science Forum II and the Renewable Energy Workshops.

Information on ULERN’s past projects and initiatives can still be found at www.ulern.on.ca<http://www.ulern.on.ca/>. The site will be integrated into SSMIC’s main page in the coming months.

For more information on either of these organizations and to learn about their continued commitment to science, technology and innovation, visit www.ssmic.com<http://www.ssmic.com/>.

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About Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre
The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre was founded in 1999 and serves as a catalyst for growth in the IT, science and knowledge based sectors in the Algoma District. In 2009, they integrated with science enterprise Algoma (seA) and Upper Lakes Environmental Research Network (ULERN) to combine resources and accomplish their mutual goals of enhanced innovation capacity for both the IT and science sectors. The Innovation Centre works closely with community partners to enhance and improve science and IT sector opportunities.

The Innovation Centre is focused on four core areas: operating a business incubator to encourage the establishment and growth of business start-ups; providing support services to the SME (Small to Medium Enterprise) IT and science community; supporting the establishment and enhancement of advanced research projects in the region and undertaking strategic market development projects such as the highly successful GIS project.

The Innovation Centre operates an award-winning GIS department that has been recognized internationally for its unique community information utility model and advanced work in the health and human services sector.

Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre
1520 Queen Street East, NW 307
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2G4
Telephone: 705-942-7927
http://www.ssmic.com

For More Information Contact:

Mei Ling, MA
Communications Manager
Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre
1520 Queen Street East, NW307
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2G4
Tel: 705.942.7927 ext. 3122
Fax: 705.942.6169
www.ssmic.com<http://www.ssmic.com> www.itssm.com<http://www.itssm.com>
Email: <mailto:mling@ssmic.com> mling@ssmic.com<mailto:mling@ssmic.com>
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