Nine companies have been selected from 17 applications to become mentees for the 2020–21 year. They will be paired with industry leading firms who will provide them with insight to refine their products or services for market.

All four million square feet of buildings on the 34-acre site will be connected via a hydronic loop that circulates waste energy from the nearby Kruger Products plant for heating, and water from the Ottawa River for cooling.

The new facility was formerly known as the Engineering Centre. It will enable thyssenkrupp to expand its capacity to service its own machinery as well as those of its competitors throughout Canada.

No construction plans have been announced, but the company plans to add 500 workers at its Canadian headquarters within three years.

The project calls for $40 million to be invested in the site to transform it into a 150,000-square foot commercial development.