Government of Canada Supports Establishment of Extrusion Technology Transfer Centre in Alma

ALMA, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - April 12, 2013) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, today announced that Université du Québec à Chicoutimi's Centre d'Entrepreneuriat et d'Essaimage (CEE-UQAC) has been granted funding for the establishment of the Centre de transfert en extrusion, an extrusion technology transfer centre, in Alma.

"Our government remains focused on jobs, economic growth and sustainable prosperity. This is evident in our ongoing support of organizations that, like the Centre d'Entrepreneuriat et d'Essaimage of Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, accompany enterprises in their efforts to become more competitive, which is a catalyst of economic growth," said Minister Lebel.

The extrusion technology transfer centre will support businesses in the aluminium processing sector that need to access specialized equipment for the manufacture of complex extrusion products during the pre-commercialization phase. This will enable these enterprises to better meet customer demands and increase their productivity. The CEE-UQAC project will help promote competitiveness in the Quebec aluminium processing industry and enhance Canadian expertise in this highly technological sector.

"The Government of Canada remains focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of this country, and of course, their personal financial security," Minister Lebel concluded.

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This assistance, granted in the form of two non-repayable contributions totalling $10,275,000, has been awarded through Canada Economic Development's Quebec Economic Development Program. The first contribution of $9,900,000 will serve mainly for the purchase of equipment and construction of a building to house the Centre de transfert en extrusion. The second, in the amount of $375,000 over five years, will be used to cover a portion of the centre's operating costs.

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