Driverless cars are coming to Durham! 

Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) announced on behalf of the Ontario government that they will be providing funding to six Regional Technology Development Sites (RTDS) across the province as part of the Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN) project.
 
"Durham Region's Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS) of Ontario's Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network is positioned to bring innovation and jobs to the region," said Sherry Colbourne, President and CEO of Spark Centre. "Companies from the region, across North America and around the globe are coming to Durham to access these capabilities and the support of our local consortium to assist in building their businesses and commercializing their products as the world moves to embrace new autonomous vehicle technologies."
 
The creation of six RTDS will enable small- and medium-sized enterprises to develop, test and validate new technologies, access specialized equipment, and obtain technical and business advice.
 
For more information, visit AvinHub.ca.
  The future is bright for tourism in Brock Township
In 2017, a tourism-focused Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) project was launched in the Township of Brock to support local business development and job creation.
 
The project consisted of trained volunteers conducting confidential interviews with over 40 business owners and organization representatives across the township. Data was analyzed, and recommendations were then developed by a leadership team consisting of the project partners. On June 25, the final report and recommendations were endorsed following a presentation to the Township of Brock Planning Committee.
 
A two-part workshop was held last fall at the Thorah Arena in Beaverton that included a presentation of the findings from the BR+E, as well as an information session with Central Counties Tourism and Durham Tourism. For more information visit the BR+E project page.
  Cannabis industry growing in Durham Region     
The cannabis industry is a multi-billion-dollar market that, over the past year, has seen a steady increase of activity and interest within the region due to a variety of factors, including more affordable industrial land, access to main transportation networks, business support networks and stakeholders in the region. It is estimated that the industry will represent over 1,000 new jobs including those involved in cultivation, extraction, research and development and product development efforts.There are approximately one dozen companies that are licensed or seeking licensing to grow in Durham Region.
  Durham College offers new certificate program specializing in    
  cannabis business
Durham College will be offering a Cannabis Industry Specialization Certificate made up of five-part time courses focusing on how to run a licensed production facility. The program will provide information about many aspects of business operations including importing, exporting and business ethics. For more information, visit DurhamCollege.ca.
  Life-saving medical isotope to be produced at the Darlington     
  Nuclear Generating Station    
The Darlington Nuclear Generating Station will begin producing a nuclear isotope, Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), used in the detection of heart disease and cancer. The site will be the first large nuclear plant in the world to produce the isotope. The project is a result of a collaboration between Canadian Nuclear Partners and a subsidiary of BWX Technologies Inc. and will be in production by the end of 2019.
  Hello Tomorrow: Durham Smart Cities Forum
Hello Tomorrow Durham Smart Cities Forum logo.
The Regional Municipality of Durham successfully hosted the Hello Tomorrow: Durham Smart Cities Forum at University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) in Oshawa. More than 300 residents, community partners, businesses, academics, students, government officials and tech industry leaders in Durham Region and beyond registered to share feedback on, and learn more about,  smart cities approaches and technologies. 

The forum included:
  • A keynote address by Hillary Hartley, Ontario's Chief Digital Officer.

  • Presentations and panel discussions on innovation in Durham Region (including transit, energy, income stability and information technology), smart city innovation in education, leadership in a connected community, automotive technology and mobility innovation.

  • A free event app allowing attendees to interact and provide input.

  • Exhibits, technology demonstrations and networking opportunities.
Those who couldn't attend the forum can watch a recorded broadcast of the speakers and panelists at durham.ca/SmartCities.
  Nordik spa coming to Whitby!
The Nordik Group announced they will be opening a location in Whitby, within Cullen Central Park. The new spa is a $20 million investment project, which will be built on a 385,423 square foot site and will be able to accommodate up to 1,100 people per day. It promises to provide guests with an innovative and multi-sensory rejuvenation experience, featuring a mix of thermal baths and saunas inspired by Scandinavian traditions. The spa 
is set to open in the fall.
 
For more information, visit GroupeNordik.com.
  Durham Region releases broadband strategy    
Recognizing the importance of adequate broadband infrastructure for the well-being and economic competitiveness of the region's residents, businesses and institutions, Durham Regional Council has approved Connecting our Communities: A Broadband Strategy for Durham Region . Broadband is internet access that is always on; available at higher speeds than traditional dial up; and can transmit large amounts of data quickly. Although the region's urban residential areas are benefiting from service upgrades, rural areas and certain employment areas remain underserved.
 
Connecting our Communities: A Broadband Strategy for Durham Region positions the Region to support and facilitate broadband deployment, without duplicating the responsibilities of senior levels of government, or competing with the private sector in the provision of services. The 10 actions contained within the strategy focus on the Region's efforts around collaboration, addressing service gaps, and supporting improved affordability. 
  Durham Region is home to a flourishing craft brewery scene    
Durham has been attracting a lot of attention with a growing craft beer scene, with many new breweries opening across the region. This new wave of breweries is supported by Durham's widespread landscape, affordable rent, and the new Centre for Craft Brewing Innovation (CCBI) program at Durham College. The innovative new program helps craft brewers address industry challenges, develop their product and experiment in controlled environments.
 
For more information, visit DurhamCollege.ca.