From left, James Scongack, Bruce Power’s Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Operational Services; Mitch Twolan, Bruce County Warden; Ron Oberth, President and CEO, OCNI.

In a joint media release, Bruce Power, Bruce County and the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding May 2 to expand the Nuclear Economic Development and Innovation Initiative to include OCNI as an equal partner.

“OCNI is pleased to join the partnership with Bruce County and Bruce Power,” said Ron Oberth, President and CEO of OCNI. “The integration of OCNI into this initiative is an amazing opportunity to expand the role we play in connecting our network of nuclear supply chain companies to Bruce, Grey and Huron counties.”

OCNI has an active network of more than 220 member companies that supply equipment and services to the nuclear industry in Canada and abroad. “We look forward to building on the initiative’s success while playing a larger role in regional nuclear economic development," Oberth added.

Launched in 2016, the initiative is a jointly funded partnership designed to leverage economic opportunities in communities across Bruce, Grey and Huron counties, given Bruce Power’s multi-year investment program. To date, the initiative has been a significant success, with wide-spread economic impacts across the region, including over 50 suppliers establishing a presence in 10 communities across the three counties, and the realization and commitment to create about 500 jobs locally over the next few years.

“It is the opportune time to expand our partnership to include OCNI,” said James Scongack, Bruce Power’s Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Operational Services. “The expertise, services and support they provide to the regional nuclear supply chain will enhance our ability to continue to grow this initiative, while encouraging more suppliers to establish a presence in our communities."

The jointly funded position will be housed in OCNI’s Port Elgin office. Alison Fernandes, who has worked locally for OCNI for the past two years as the Bruce Power/Bruce County Liaison Officer, will assume the role of Manager Nuclear Economic Development and Innovation to advance the partnership. The region will continue to be engaged through the Nuclear Industry Regional Liaison Committee.