Brandon University (BU) and the Rural Development Institute (RDI) are pleased to be co-hosting a conference to discuss the attraction of a major soybean processing facility to Manitoba on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In the spring of 2017 BU partnered with the Westman Opportunities Leadership Group (WOLG) in its efforts to bring a soybean processing plant to Manitoba. With three million acres seeded to soybeans in Manitoba and Saskatchewan this year, there is a growing opportunity to attract a facility to this province.
“A facility of scale would process at least 2,500 tonnes of soybeans per day,” said Ray Redfern, Chair of WOLG. “Recent growth in planted acres should provide sufficient tonnage to support a plant of this scale and still serve established export markets. Our interest is to attract a facility to Manitoba instead of seeing it built in another jurisdiction.”
“One of Brandon University’s priorities is to act as a catalyst for economic and community growth in the region,” said Scott Lamont, BU’s Vice-President (Administration & Finance). “We can play a meaningful role in gathering knowledge and facilitating partnerships, and we are looking to the assembled experts to evaluate this opportunities and challenges of attracting a project of this scale. This conference will bring together business and civic leaders, farmers and government to understand the way forward and how to work together to attract private sector investment.”
The lunch keynote address will be provided by Maurice Bouvier, an Assistant Deputy Minister at Manitoba Agriculture. The morning discussion will focus on plant benefits, with Bob Stroup, Senior Consultant to the Plus Group of Cincinnati Ohio, providing perspective. An afternoon panel session with Soy Canada, the Keystone Agricultural Producers, Manitoba Pork Council and Manitoba Agriculture describing the potential impacts and challenges to be addressed will round out the day.
UPDATE: This event has passed
The event is open to all who register in advance (seating is limited):
Location: Harvest Hall, Brandon University
Register online at: brandonu.ca/wolg-building-opportunities
Cost: $30.00/person
Registration questions: FinReg@BrandonU.ca or 204-727-7313
“We have already been in contact with many business and community organizations that would welcome and benefit from a project of this magnitude being located in the region” stated Dr. William Ashton, Director of RDI. “We are looking forward to cultivating and expanding our partnerships to generate and share knowledge that will lead to informed strategies and continued progress in Manitoba.”
Agenda – Soybean Opportunity Workshop – Nov 16, 2017
Parking
- Lot 5 and 6 have ticket dispensers for paid parking ($0.50 per hour).
- Metered parking spaces are available ($0.01 per minute for a maximum of 100 minutes).
- Accessible spots for the public are located in Lot 10 near the Healthy Living Centre.
Contact
- Brandon University
- communications@brandonu.ca
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About BU
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