Providing world-class facilities
and support to BC's agri-food industry.
BC
AGRI-FOOD RESEARCH AND
INNOVATION CENTRE OF BC
“In 2014, the food and beverage processing industry was the largest
of all manufacturing industries in Canada, accounting for $27.7
billion of the manufacturing sector’s total GDP….the largest share
(16.6%) of jobs in the manufacturing sector.”1
INNOVATION IS THE CORE OF EVERY SUCCESSFUL FOOD BUSINESS.
The Agri-Food Research and Innovation Centre of BC (ARC-BC) will become the innovation
centre for BC's agri-food industry.
A NEW SUSTAINABLE MODEL
ARC-BC will provide state-of-the-art applied research and technical support services to BC's
agri-food industry for fees limited to consumables and amortization expenses. Not less than
80% of the centre's operating costs will come from land leased to businesses closely allied to
BC's agri-food industry. ARC-BC will not require government money to sustain its operations
and will still be able to provide high-quality services at very low costs. This concept will be the
first of its kind in Canada and possibly the world.
British Columbia is the only
province in Canada that
Agri-Food Research and Innovation Centre of BC
BC
does not have an agri-food
Providing agri-food research and innovation services
technology centre.
to British Columbia’s agri-food industry.
BC is ready for one!
FOODTECH Canada is an alliance of provincial agri-food centres
whose primary focus is on value-added agri-food products.
RECEIVED
1
9
15-85%
7
OUT OF 10
2
8
9
MEMBERS OF
THEIR ANNUAL
3
OPERATING BUDGETS
FOODTECH
4
6
10
FROM THEIR PROVINCIAL
GOVERNMENTS,
5
which can amount to millions.
1. Food Processing Development Centre, Leduc, Alberta / 2. POS Bio-Sciences, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan /
Provincial funding continues because
3. Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan / 4. Food Development Centre, Portage La
they provide essential and valued
serves to the agri-food industry.
Prairie, Manitoba / 5. Canadian International Grains Institute, Winnipeg, Manitoba / 6. Guelph Food Technology Centre,
Guelph, Ontario / 7. Cintech agroalimentaire, Sainte-Hyacinthe, Quebec / 8. Merinov, Gaspe, Quebec / 9. BioFood Tech,
Charlottetown, PEI / 10. Canadian Institute of Fisheries Technology, Halifax, Nova Scotia
1 An Overview of the Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food System 2016. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
BC
PHASES OF DEVELOPMENT
1. Phase One. Acquire 100-125 acres of land
The key to ARC-BC's success is acquiring 100-125 acres of land, preferably through
a favourable long-term lease of 99 years. Revenue from land leases to businesses
Provides state-of-the-art
allied to BC's agri-food industry will be the primary source of funds for ARC-BC's
research and technical
$4.5 million annual operating budget.
support services
• Fees limited to consumables and
2. Phase Two.
amortization expenses
• Secure tenants and other infrastructure requirements
• At 25% capacity, construction to commence to
ARC-BC will not require
provide admin and lab services
government money to sustain
• At 50% capacity, construction to provide incubator
its operations.
services
3. Phase Three.
• Expand construction to provide latest technology to those
sectors with greatest need but with a focus on net benefit to
the BC economy
• Expansion after 75% of leases in place
4 Phase Four. ARC-BC is fully established.
When completed ARC-BC will have:
1. A self-funded operating budget of $4.5 million
2. Full-time staff of at least 25
3. Building(s) totaling 60,000 square feet on 4 acres of land
4. Equipment worth $250 million
5. Contribute not less than $200 million annually to BC's GDP of which $25-70
million will be from the innovation centre
6. Depending on the tenant mix, the number of employees on the project site will
range from 2,000-5,000
BC
“ Food and beverage processing is a key Canadian economic
sector. Canada’s largest manufacturing sector represents
16.3 percent of total Canadian manufacturing GDP (2015) and
Developed by:
employs about 256,000 Canadians across the country.”2
RJW Consulting Canada Ltd.
For more information:
Dr. Ron Wasik, PhD, MBA, CFS
“In 2015, direct processing revenues climbed to $9.1 billion.
President and Chairman
Indirect revenues from suppliers and service providers total
ARC-BC Foundation
another $6.6 billion” - for a combined total of $15.7 billion and
rwasik@arcbcfoundation.ca
employing nearly 63,000 people.3
2 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Value-Added Agriculture and Agri-Food Processing. Next Policy Framework Engagement Session, November 1-2, 2016, Ottawa, Ontario.
3 Industry Overview and Economic Impact Study of the BC Food and Beverage Processing Industry. Process This. Winter 2017