The Ontario government announced an investment of nearly $2.9 million in capital funding for projects at St. Lawrence College.

The money is part of the Facilities Renewal Program (FRP), a broader package of funds being provided by the province to help universities and colleges fund critical maintenance, repairs, upgrades and renewals. The fund provides $466 million in capital grants over three years starting in 2020-21.

“Well-maintained facilities and the latest in learning tools and equipment are critical parts of a postsecondary education,” said Stormont Dundas Glengarry MPP Jim McDonell. “By investing in postsecondary infrastructure, our government is supporting economic recovery, creating jobs and ensuring students obtain the skills they need for the in-demand jobs of today and tomorrow.”

The money for St. Lawrence College will help address the ongoing need for maintenance, repair, renovation and modernization of existing facilities. The 2020-21 FRP funding represents an increase of more than $1,696,000 over last year.

As part of the College Equipment and Renewal Fund (CERF), the government is also providing $593,000 in capital funding to help St. Lawrence College purchase and renew instructional equipment and learning resources. For 2020–21, CERF funding may also be used to purchase equipment to support student virtual learning during COVID-19.

“The significant increases in each of these two funds demonstrates our government’s commitment to addressing the maintenance backlog left from previous governments and providing new capital, positioning St. Lawrence for growth in key areas like virtual learning in the future,” said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands & Rideau Lakes.

“We are thankful for this investment as it will allow us to continue improving and growing the ways we educate and train career-ready graduates, many of whom stay to work in our communities,” said Glenn Vollebregt, President and CEO of St. Lawrence College. “We attract students to Eastern Ontario from around the world and our facilities, equipment, and campuses need to be state-of-the-art to reflect and support the quality and practical education we deliver.”