Four producer organizations have announced plans to contribute $13.4 million to the planned Global Technology Exchange in Winnipeg. The project known as GATE will contain state-of the-art equipment for milling, baking, pasta and noodle making, malting and brewing, as well as oat processing. The estimated $102 million cost includes buying the land near the current Cereals Canada location in downtown Winnipeg, and building a facility that meets engineering requirements to house advanced milling equipment.

Funding has been approved by the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission ($6,243,074), Alberta Grains ($4,319,798), Manitoba Crop Alliance ($2,655,587) and Grain Farmers of Ontario (approximately $200,000).

Cereals Canada has also committed $5 million from its own reserve funds, which puts the GATE Capital Campaign fundraising total at $18.4 million.

The Wheat Growers Association opposes using producer check-off dollars to build a new facility. The Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (SaskWheat) says GATE is needed “so that we can continue to meet global demand for high quality Canadian grains.” A SaskWheat news release says the funding is conditional upon securing the required financial support from government entities and other funding partners.

This is the link to a YouTube video of GATE capital campaign chair Joanne Buth.