Hamilton’s McMaster Innovation Park launches $28M hub to study eco-friendly cars and planes

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Published June 14, 2021 at 9:31 pm

Every day in Hamilton, thousands of emissions-producing vehicles drive by the McMaster Innovation Park, which is perched above King Street West and Highway 403.

Now, engineers from the Hamilton university have been given a boost with helping refine energy-efficient vehicles. The  McMaster Innovation Park is launching a $28-million integrated automotive, aerospace and advanced manufacturing network. At the iHub, as it has been dubbed, McMaster engineers will help develop and test products such as self-driving vehicles and energy-efficient aircrafts, with the aim of increasing Canada’s presence in these emerging industries.

Member of Parliament Filomena Tassi (Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas) announced the endeavour on Monday. The federal government is providing $10 million in funding. Industry partners such as Ford, Honda, Bombardier and Stellantis are kicking in another $16.8 million.

“Today’s investment will boost our economy by supporting almost 170 local jobs and helping Canadian innovators succeed in a thriving industry,” Tassi said in a release.

The iHub will also provide training for about 200 people and will help about 230 small- to medium-sized enterprises in Ontario’s Oshawa-to-Windsor corridor.

Including ancillary costs, the total funding for the project is $28.49 million.

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