A multi-million dollar boost is coming to Saskatchewan businesses in the technology, agriculture and steel sectors.
The federal government is committing around $28.6 million to 22 companies and organizations across the province.
The funding, provided under four different initiatives, will help create jobs, push organizations into the global market and support small business scale-ups, according to officials.
“Saskatchewan is becoming an important centre for innovation, both in its traditional sectors like agriculture and resources, and in new fields like autonomous vehicles,” said Ralph Goodale, the federal minister of public safety and emergency preparedness.
“These investments by the government of Canada will support the development and commercialization of new technologies, expand the digital technology economy, and help steel and aluminum businesses protect and create jobs.”
Dot Technology Corp (DTC) is one of the recipients. The autonomous agriculture company is receiving $5 million in repayable funding to support the commercialization, sales and service of its new autonomous vehicle.
“It replaces the driver and it replaces the tractor and it makes farming more efficient overall.”
Beaujot said his company’s advancements could help tackle labour shortages and, ultimately, global food shortages.