A Winnipeg-based insurance provider has added its name to the companies supporting Assiniboine Community College’s (ACC’S) Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture.
The incoming hub for ag and ag-adjacent programming at ACC received $50,000 from Johnston Group to add to its pool of private fundraising.
“As a proud Manitoba company, Johnston Group supports initiatives that make a difference in the lives of Manitobans,” said the firm’s president, Dave Angus. “The Prairie Innovation Centre combines the strength of our agricultural community with the strength of the next generation to generate tremendous opportunities for our province. We are proud to support such an important initiative.”
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ACC announced the centre in 2020, part of efforts to increase ag and ag-related student seats from roughly 300 to 800. That expansion would come with more applied research and new course offerings, the college said, including mechatronics, chemical technology and food science. The college has also touted the project as a measure to meet specific labour needs in Manitoba’s agriculture and agri-food sector.
Since announcing the centre, ACC has increased its fundraising goal twice, first from $10 to $15 million, and now to $20 million.
In January, the Province of Manitoba also promised an initial investment of $10 million, slated for design and cost planning.
“The financial support we continue to see for the centre further confirms the need for this project in the region.” said Derrick Turner, ACC director of advancement and external relations.
