Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre (NOIC) Launches Program To Help Local Businesses Adopt To AI

Small businesses in Northwestern Ontario are getting a major boost in their efforts to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations, thanks to a new initiative from the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre (NOIC) in Thunder Bay. The centre has launched the Building Blueprints for AI Adoption (BBAA) program, a structured five-session training and funding initiative designed to help entrepreneurs gain hands-on experience and practical strategies for integrating AI into their workflows (Acadia Broadcasting; Your Thunder Bay; Northern Ontario Business).

The BBAA program combines training, mentorship, and financial support, enabling participants to both learn about and apply AI tools within just five weeks. Through workshops that blend in-person and online sessions, businesses explore how to automate daily tasks, streamline processes, and strengthen their marketing and sales efforts. Each session focuses on practical applications, such as using AI to design smarter marketing campaigns, improve sales through chatbots and automated customer service, and enhance workflow efficiency by automating administrative work like scheduling, file management, and meeting notes. According to James Ellard, NOIC’s senior business advisor of marketing and branding, the goal is to give business owners the tools and confidence to make AI a natural part of their operations. “People often tell me there’s not enough time in a day to do everything, and that’s the advantage that AI brings, a way to automate tasks to allow you and your team to focus on the important components of your business that make it successful,” Ellard explained (Northern Ontario Business).

Participation in the BBAA program is selective, requiring an application and consultation to determine eligibility. Once accepted, companies receive access to $5,000 worth of training for just $150, a highly subsidized opportunity that reflects NOIC’s commitment to fostering innovation in the region. The program culminates in the creation of a customized AI adoption plan, ensuring that every business walks away with a clear, actionable strategy suited to their specific needs. Beyond training, participants who complete the program can apply for up to $20,000 in funding to implement their plans, giving them a tangible path from education to execution (Acadia Broadcasting; Your Thunder Bay).

The NOIC, which was founded in 1999 to support technology startups in Thunder Bay and later expanded to include all types of innovation, has become a driving force for digital transformation in Northwestern Ontario. By focusing on accessible, localized training, the BBAA program aims to bridge the technology gap between small regional enterprises and larger, more digitally advanced competitors. Ellard emphasized that this initiative helps local businesses “compete with other companies outside of our region that they normally couldn’t,” noting that the combination of affordable education and implementation funding allows companies to unlock efficiency gains and new growth opportunities (Acadia Broadcasting; Your Thunder Bay).

Through the Building Blueprints for AI Adoption program, NOIC is equipping small businesses not just with knowledge, but with the practical tools and resources needed to modernize. Whether they’re just beginning to explore AI or already experimenting with it, participants gain the insight and confidence to turn AI from an intimidating concept into a strategic advantage. For Northwestern Ontario’s entrepreneurs, this marks a pivotal step toward a more innovative and competitive future driven by intelligent automation and digital transformation.

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Works Cited

Acadia Broadcasting. “Centre Launches Program to Help Local Businesses Adopt to AI.” Acadia Broadcasting, 2025, https://acadiabroadcasting.ca/centre-launches-program-to-help-local-businesses-adopt-to-ai/.

Your Thunder Bay. “Centre Launches Program to Help Local Businesses Adopt to AI.” Your Thunder Bay, 2025, https://yourthunderbay.ca/centre-launches-program-to-help-local-businesses-adopt-to-ai/.

Northern Ontario Business. “New AI Training and Funding Program Launches to Help Businesses Understand and Adopt AI.” Northern Ontario Business, 2025, https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/press-release/new-ai-training-and-funding-program-launches-to-help-businesses-understand-and-adopt-ai-11440997.

Vieweg, Dr. Stefan. “AI for Sustainability.” Dr. Vieweg Consulting Inc., 2024, https://drvieweg.net/blog/2024/11/07/ai-for-sustainability/.

Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre. LinkedIn, 2025,  https://ca.linkedin.com/company/northwestern-ontario-innovation-centre.