The Nuclear Innovation Institute in Port Elgin. (Claire McCormack/Bayshore Broadcasting News)
Over 120 elected officials and leaders from across the region attended the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) last week for the annual Clean Energy Frontier Summit.
The NII says the summit on Jan. 13, held a day-long discussion with members from Grey, Bruce and Huron counties and local Indigenous communities on sustainable growth and collaboration towards a clean energy future.
The NII adds the discussion also included ways on capitalizing the region’s expansion on its key industries, including agriculture, tourism and clean energy.
Bruce Power President and CEO Mike Rencheck says, “when you think about it from an economic development mindset, we’re ready for the changes coming. We’ve put some of the foundational pieces in place in the clean energy frontier to be a leader in future years.”
Attendees also brainstormed opportunities for sustainable growth as the region faces challenges in housing, workforce, infrastructure, and education, with the feedback going to help inform local representatives and the Clean Energy Frontier program.
The program is an advocacy, awareness-raising and economic development initiative led by both Bruce Power and Bruce County, with the focus on promoting the contribution the region will make towards achieving net zero.
“We have strong regional partnerships, innovative local talent and boundless opportunities that support sustainable growth. Clean energy is an important part of Bruce County’s present and future,” says Bruce County Warden Chris Peabody.
Director of the Clean Energy Frontier program at NII Jessica Linthorne concluded the summit with a panel discussion of local economic development leaders from Saugeen First Nation, as well as from Bruce, Grey and Huron counties. The panelists talked of their plans for their respective regions on housing, workforce, and economic opportunities.
“Building our region and our clean energy future takes strategic planning and collaboration. The Clean Energy Frontier program is a public-private partnership between Bruce County and Bruce Power, and the summit was a tremendous example of this power of collaboration,: says Linthorne.