RAIN is an initiative led by the NORDIK Institute and the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre. Photo: Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN)

The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre can be found in the Essar Convergence Centre building located at Algoma University. SSMIC was created in 1999 to develop an innovative science and technology centre in the Sault. It accomplishes this goal in the community on a wide variety of projects. A business incubator provides support for local science and technology entrepreneurs. Efforts in the science sector include smart energy, water, bio-products, invasive species awareness, and agriculture, including the Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN), an initiative that SSMIC co-leads with the NORDIK Institute. Algoma Games for Health operates out of the Innovation Centre, creating fun games that help with speech therapy, education, and health care. The Innovation Centre also acts as a community hub for geomatics and GIS mapping. Its unique approach to data sharing has led to the Innovation Centre being recognized as a cutting-edge organization with international awards and projects across Canada.