Thompson-Nicola Region's High Technology Sector

More than 200 hi-tech firms are located in the Thompson-Nicola  region with a wide range of expertise to support the entertainment and new media industry.

Kamloops as a High Technology Hub

KAMLOOPS IS A TECHNOLOGY HUB.

BC Lottery Corporation's headquarters is situated in the City of Kamloops which supports approximately 400 - 500 IT specialists living in the area.

Also, the City of Kamloops is home to data centers, software providers, technology support services, many research organizations and boasts the Interior Technology Industry Association (website).

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is home to the School of Advanced Technologies and Mathematics which provides instruction ranging from the applied to the theoretical. TRU comprises Computing Science, Computer Information Systems Technology, Digital Art & Design, Electronics & Engineering, Architectural & Engineering Technology, and Mathematics & Statistics.Consequently, there is a diverse and highly skilled labour pool in the Kamloops and surrounding area.

Technological Capacities

Kamloops is on most Canadian transcontinental fibre-optic cable routes because Kamloops is where the Canadian National Railroad and Canadian Pacific Railroad meet. Bell, Telus, Big Pipe (Shaw) and BCNET have major fibre access locations in Kamloops, which is on par with major metropolitan centres in terms of communications infrastructure.

BCNET is working in Phase 1 of network expansion plans for Kamloops. BCNET will provide fiber ready capability in each new community ensuring capacity upgrades for higher-performance neworks. BCNET has mapped out gigabit light paths between cities, providing more band width than ever before.

For more information: Venture Kamloops 250-828-6818 www.venturekamloops.com

Interior Technology Industry Association Kamloops

The Interior Technology Industry Association (ITIA) in Kamloops is a non-profit member-driven organization whose mission is to facilitate the development of Kamloops into a competitive high tech centre of excellence by mentoring, networking, providing learning and teaching opportunities, facilitating and promoting partnerships and acting as an advocate for its technology business members.

Kamloops Innovation Centre

The Kamloops Innovation Centre at 368 Tranquille Road provides space for new and expanding high tech businesses. In support of centre as an accelerator, the Interior Science Innovation Council (ISIC) will offer a suite of programs such as mentoring, marketing and web site revitalization. Scott Foubister, who developed a computer program used for language instruction at Thompson Rivers University, is one of many residents. Scott is expanding his program's application and market: "This accelerator is really just the right thing right now." For more information contact Bill McQuarrie at ISIC 250-828-1713 or bmcquarrie@isic.ca.