St. John's: a Research Hub

Research and development generates knowledge, spawns new industries and provides new opportunities supporting economic growth. With Memorial University’s annual Research Week completed, it calls attention to the range of internationally renowned and leading research capacity that happens in St. John’s and the province.  

At Memorial University more than 30 research centres undertake research ranging from social and economic insights, to public health, offshore safety and ocean engineering and with total sponsored research income in 2022-23 valued at $143 million and contributing $627 million to the provincial economy.  

Memorial’s Research Innovation Office fosters a progressive culture of technology transfer and commercialization encourages students, faculty, and staff to work with the business community to bring research ideas to market.

With over 40% of its research being ocean-related, Memorial is a global leader. The Fisheries and Marine Institute, one of the most respected facilities for marine learning and applied research in the world, is home to a variety of specialized centres that conduct world-leading research on ocean technology, aquaculture, fisheries ecosystems and offshore safety. Read about Memorial’s competitive edge when it comes to ocean research, in the latest issue of Luminus magazine.

The National Research Council’s Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering Research Centre offers six specialized research and testing facilities to support private and public sector partners. It helps develop next generation marine transportation, improve the resilience of coastal infrastructure and waterways, and develop sustainable technologies for use in harsh marine environments. 

Non-profit Energy Research & Innovation supports collaborative research, development and demonstration (RD&D) opportunities and facilitates projects on behalf of the province’s offshore petroleum industry. With a focus on sustinabilty, digitization, development and safety, Energy Research & Innovation assists the offshore industry’s sustainability through technology development and innovation.

Building research capacity and brokering important connections among partners in healthcare, government, community, and university is within the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Applied Health Research in its Research Exchange Groups.

At the College of the North Atlantic, the Office of Applied Research and Innovation, is dedicated to supporting local industry and communities has a focus on applied research collaborations leading to solutions to real-world problems.

Overall there is a wealth of research expertise, facilities and technologies in St. John’s helping to grow new innovations, businesses, employment and address challenges.

City Influencers Survey Results: Business Ownership

City Influencers is an online space where young people - aged 18 to 30 - can provide feedback to the City on topics of interest to them in a quick and easy manner. Starting a business and awareness of business supports for entrepreneurs was the latest survey topic. Key findings from the survey include:

•    62% of respondents consider owning a business a viable career option.
• The top three resources used to learn more about starting a business include: speaking to other local business owners; business support agencies; and friends and family.
• Respondents indicated they would prefer learning about challenges or opportunities in starting a business directly from young entrepreneurs.
• The St. John’s Business Information Centre sees opportunity to raise awareness of our business information resources with this age group. 

Read the full report: www.engagestjohns.ca.

Newcomer Loan Program

Community Business Development Corporations recognize the role that newcomers play in economic development in Newfoundland & Labrador. The Newcomer Loan Program is designed to provide financing to those who would otherwise not receive support because of their resident status. The program offers repayable loans of up to $20,000 for newcomers to create a start-up or buy  an existing business in Newfoundland & Labrador. Eligibility would be for individuals 19 and older who do not have permanent resident status, with all sectors being eligible, as well as all communities in Newfoundland & Labrador. All loans are repayable and offer competitive repayment terms and costs of borrowing.  Contact Metro Business Opportunities for further details at 709-738-1MBO (1626).     

Westjet connecting St. John’s and London

WestJet announced it will launch a direct flight three times a week between St. John's to London's Gatwick airport starting May 1 and ending on Oct. 25. This flight marks the reestablishment of a connection between Newfoundland and Labrador and Europe – the first since 2019.

“The City of St. John’s welcomes today’s announcement and is thrilled to have a direct route to the United Kingdom once again. This announcement is not just about a new flight route; it’s about opening doors to exploration, fostering economic growth, and strengthening the bonds that connect us globally," Mayor Danny Breen.” 

Full news release: www.gov.nl.ca.

Applications for 2024 Canada Summer Jobs now open

The application period for the federal government’s Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program open November 21. Employers from not-for-profit organizations, the public sector, and private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees in Canada can apply for funding until Jan. 10, 2024, to hire young Canadians next summer. Full-time job placements will become available starting in April 2024. Employers interested in applying for CSJ 2024 funding are encouraged to submit their applications electronically on the Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) portal.

Toronto-based Shaughnessy was awestruck by the tight-knit community of St. John’s after a company retreat. After an additional trip to the city, the matter was settled and St. John's became home. www.macleans.ca

Hayley Shaughnessy standing in front of her “very Newfoundland-y” clapboard home St. John’s. (Photography by Johnny C. Y. Lam)

Check out this awesome playlist featuring all Newfoundland and Labrador artists. Our music #ecosystem here in #stjohnnl generates rich social, cultural and economic benefits: open.spotify.com. 

The City of St. John's Development Team is available to meet with potential applicants at the initial stages of a project helping to ensure it starts out on the right foot.

DETAILS: stjohns.ca.

DYK? the City of S. John's Census Metropolitan Area has expanded to include Holyrood? The Northeast Avalon's hub is getting larger. View the Census profile: statcan.gc.ca.

Point 2 Homes 2023 City Readiness Index for Gen Z indicates, "St. John’s, NL is the star city of the young generation, raking in the most points in the 35 categories that together embody the ideal lifestyle for a Gen Z-er".  point2homes.com.

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