A major renovation and research initiative has been announced for the Grenfell Campus-Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic.

A total of $8.9-million is being invested into the initiative from various sources to support the Corner Brook Centre for Research and Innovation and any related initiatives.

The provincial government invested $5.3 million to support an employer-sponsored training program that will be developed and delivered by CNA. $2.9-million has been slotted for the renovation and redevelopment of the Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Mill Human Resources building to house the Centre.

Of the $2.9-million, approximately 2.2-million came from ACOA and Emera, with the remainder coming from the city and province.

Government says the Centre will support local and regional economic growth through infrastructure capacity building, research and development, entrepreneurship and innovation, education and skills training, and growth in agricultural and forest sectors.