Through the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), the federal government will soon deliver $3.5 million in funding to eight organizations to help strengthen Vancouver IslandB次元官网网址檚 tech and tourism sectors.  

Federal minister Harjit Sajjan, who is responsible for PacifiCan, made the announcement on Thursday, Sept. 5. 

Most of the funding will be divvied between three Victoria-based tech companies.  

Industrial Plankton, which produces bioreactors that grow seaweed and algae to feed shellfish, received $900,000 to help build a new manufacturing facility.    

$569,000 more will help Fluorescent Designs, which produces templates and apps entrepreneurs can use on Shopify, expand their reach.  

Open Ocean Robotics received $800,000 to help increase the production of their uncrewed surface vehicles. These solar-powered craft help researchers collect real-time oceanographic data.  

B次元官网网址淭hanks to PacifiCanB次元官网网址檚 support, weB次元官网网址檙e scaling up our manufacturing to meet the growing need for safe, zero-emission ocean monitoring,B次元官网网址� said Fritz Stahr, Open Ocean RoboticsB次元官网网址� CTO, at the announcement. B次元官网网址淭he ocean ecosystem, both literally and from a blue economy standpoint, are large and growing, and we intend to keep growing with it.B次元官网网址� 

The remaining $1.25 million will help bolster a business-development corporation on Cormorant Island and tourism organizations in Victoria, Port McNeill, Port Alberni and the Cowichan Valley.  

B次元官网网址淰ancouver Island has an amazing combination of talent, resources and ambition,B次元官网网址� said Sajjan in a news release. B次元官网网址淏y investing in some of the IslandB次元官网网址檚 most innovative organizations and championing leaders in areas such as ocean technology and Indigenous tourism, PacifiCan is increasing B.C.B次元官网网址檚 competitiveness on the world stage.B次元官网网址�