Niagara Now’s Brittany Carter reported on the September 3 official opening of the Marotta Family Innovation Complex at Niagara College’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, attended by Angela Marotta, Melissa Marotta Paolicelli, Louise Marotta and Guiseppe Paolicelli, as well as local politicians and College leaders.
The story notes that the new building was made possible thanks to a generous $1 million donation from the family of Benny and Louise Marotta, who own Solmar Development Corp., and their daughters Melissa Marotta Paolicelli and Angela Marotta, who own Two Sisters Vineyards.
The 50,000 square foot complex is home to new research from the Canadian Food and Wine Institute Innovation Centre, as well as a new fitness centre and gymnasium for students.
The coverage features quotes from NC Student Administrative Council President Tom Price who commends the Marotta family for their generous support, going above and beyond for students.
Angela Marotta is also quoted, stressing their investment in the future of the College. Two Sisters Vineyard and Kitchen 76 have employed many NC graduates, including winemaker Adam Pearce who helped earn the winery the Best Small Performing Winery in Canada in 2015.
The story notes the provincial governments contribution of $1.55 million, plus $816,000 from the Ontario Research Fund and $816,000 from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation’s College-Industry fund. The Niagara Region contributed $1.4 million to the project.
NC President Dan Patterson says of the new complex, “To bring industry and innovation together, that’s when magic happens.
