PINAWA – December 6, 2016 – Rural Manitoba innovators are gaining a new resource in North Forge East, a regional branch of the North Forge Technology Exchange. Based in Pinawa, Manitoba, North Forge East will provide resources and opportunities to entrepreneurs in the province’s eastern region.

North Forge Technology brings a track record of success to the endeavour, ensuring that North Forge East’s entrepreneurs will get exactly the type of support they need. Member startups will receive a range of services, including expert mentorship; co-working space with Wi-Fi, videoconferencing equipment, meeting and event space; grant assistance; investor and market intelligence; networking opportunities; training; and access to the Winnipeg Fabrication Lab’s prototyping equipment.

See what’s in store on beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 6 with an open house at 24 Aberdeen Avenue, including a ribbon cutting and welcome from James Wilson, Deputy Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Pinawa Mayor Blair Skinner and North Forge Technology Exchange President Jeff Ryzner.

In 1963, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) built the town of Pinawa to provide a community for employees of the Whiteshell Laboratories nuclear research facility. Over the past 20 years, the Whiteshell Laboratories has been in the process of being decommissioned. The resulting job loss has impacted the economy of Pinawa and our neighbouring municipalities.

With help of North Forge East, the region is set to emerge as a powerhouse for entrepreneurs who will lend their expertise to a diversified economy.

“Over the past 20 years, the Local Government District of Pinawa and the Pinawa Community Development Corporation have consistently demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit in finding ways to diversify our economy. Our partnership to create North Forge East is an exciting opportunity to help individual entrepreneurs on the east side of the Province to succeed and contribute to ensuring the economy of Pinawa and the Region is vibrant and growing,” says Pinawa Mayor Blair Skinner.

The area served by North Forge East includes the communities of Lac du Bonnet, Whitemouth, Beausejour, Elma, Beaconia, Grand Beach, Reynolds, Anola, Dugald, Oakbank, Sagkeeng First Nation, Powerview Pine Falls, Pointe du Bois and Selkirk.

“This type of support and community-building, along with the alignment of services with those across the province, will contribute to a bright future for the region and our province,” said Stuart Henrickson, the I.H. Asper executive director for entrepreneurship at the Asper School of Business and the board chair for North Forge Technology Exchange.

“We are igniting potential. Opportunities are created when we nourish talent here,” said Shane Li, President of North Forge East.

The startup program is accepting applications now. Membership is $250 per month, with the fee waived for the first three months.