The Kelowna site of the Okanagan Research & Innovation Centre (ORIC) opened its doors to the public. An extension of the NRC-CNRC Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics' Okanagan Reasearch and Innovation Centre at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (NRC-DRAO ) south of Penticton, BC. Their goal is "Empowering Entrepreneurs in the Okanagan" in order to "fast track the growth of high-tech companies, provide a base to commercialize scientific and academic research, and facilitate the creation of innovative products and services."
I walked into the building and found how refreshing the corridors of a legacy telephone exchange can be converted and recycled for a new technology use. Check out www.oric.ca for more information on this fresh take on tech support. Really interested, sign up for the Twitter Link. This idea is scalable to any technology or local economy that has taken a beating with cutbacks and layoffs. Does your community have a vacant building, educated people with no experience, experienced people with no work? Carpooling was popular (still is as far as I know) in the 70's. How about Office/Workshop Pooling? Incubate any local economy and there will be spin offs and benefits for the whole community.