Knowledge Based Economies

A primary focus in Kingston is on developing the knowledge-based economy, an area in which Kingston is well positioned to excel as the public sector - defense, education, health care and correctional services - provide most of the city’s employment.  

One reason for this is Kingston’s highly educated populationdubbed “the smartest workforce in Canada” , and the presence of top-flight research and development infrastructure at Queen’s University, Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) and St. Lawrence College. Kingston is also home to a growing core of private small- and medium-sized technology companies - several of them products of PARTEQ, Queen’s technology transfer office, which has established a number of successful high-tech startups over the years.

 

Several opportunities have already been identified. They include increasing the capacity of existing Information and Communications Technology companies and research hubs such as the High Performance Computing Virtual Laboratory  at Queen’s University and other research centres at Queen’s University and RMC. Other opportunities stem from expanding the clinical research being done at Kingston’s hospitals, and supporting the development of specialized materials and processes whose potential applications range from advanced manufacturing to defence.         

 

Because considerable expertise exists on wind power, fuel cells, solar energy and bio-fuels resides in Kingston, the development of commercially viable green energy projects is anticipated to thrive.

 

The Kingston Economic Development Corporation is working with community partners to further develop two new technology parks: Innovation Park at Queen’s University (opened in 2008) and a site in the city’s west end.

 

For more information on Kingston´s knowledge-based economies, please contact business@kingstoncanada.com