A new research centre at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus will be considered in budget deliberations.
Ridgetown campus officials are asking the municipality for $1.5-million for the project. Campus Director Ken McEwan says this is a significant move in their planning process.
"I think it's a positive step forward. It's still a way to go, but it's very positive to be moving through the budgetary process."
The university has already garnered $1.3-million in private investments, and hope to get more from the provincial and federal governments. McEwan says the potential municipal contribution could be key going forward.
"To have that matched by the municipality shows key government stakeholders there's indeed interest and support for a project like this."
Officials hope to break ground on the $15 million project in the next two and a half years. Chatham-Kent 2016 budget deliberations begin on January 26.
