PRESS RELEASE – Nicolet, May 1, 2025 – The Energy Transition Valley (VTE) and the City of Nicolet are proud to have welcomed a French delegation of some 20 leaders from the agricultural machinery industry yesterday. The result of close collaboration between the City and the VTE, the mission to Quebec by the Cercle des dirigeants des petites et moyennes entreprises du machinisme agricole (CGMA) is part of a shared commitment between the Nicolet-Bécancour region and France to share best practices and develop partnerships around agro-environmental innovation.
The French delegation had the opportunity to discover several jewels of the Nicolet region, including the Rovibec company and the Antélimarck Farm. Aware of the challenges of access to labor, the CGMA delegation also visited the Nicolet Agricultural School, allowing them to appreciate the programs and relevance of the infrastructure offered by the institution.
“French entrepreneurs from the CGMA who are active in the agricultural machinery sector want to get involved in the development of the energy transition in Quebec’s agriculture by strengthening the bonds of friendship that unite them to an ecosystem with which they share many fundamental values.” said Damien Fétis, president of the CGMA.
“This day spent together meeting with players in the agricultural industry is much more than a formal visit. It demonstrates a shared desire on both sides of the Atlantic to rethink our agriculture, our communities, and our future around collaboration, technology, and respect for life.” explained Nicolet Mayor Geneviève Dubois. “It’s an opportunity to present our vision and our territory to inspiring partners who, like us, believe that innovation comes from the ground up.”
The CGMA members’ visit is part of the City of Nicolet’s strategy to position itself as a hub for agricultural and social innovation centered on research, experimentation, and quality of life. This is a concrete example of what it means to rethink the region, one of the key priorities of the city’s new strategic plan focused on socio-ecological transition.
In a friendly and constructive atmosphere, the dinner at City Hall provided an opportunity for rich discussions among the participants. Quebec companies active in the agricultural technology sector, Drone Deschamps, Karnott, and Agrilog, joined the activities, stimulating potential collaborations. The City of Nicolet also presented a few major projects to its guests, including the Agricultural Innovation Pavilion, a project under development in the heart of the city center that addresses both social diversity and best practices in sustainable development.
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“We are very pleased to have collaborated with the City of Nicolet in hosting this delegation. The energy transition also affects the agricultural sector, and we strongly believe that meetings such as the one held in Nicolet will lead to lasting collaborations.” said Alain Lemieux, Executive Director of the VTE.
Hosting this delegation is a concrete action for the VTE that demonstrates the dynamism of the innovation zone in its role as a leader in the France-Quebec corridor on energy transition. Initiatives such as this one help promote the regions and stimulate the implementation of innovation partnerships between companies on both sides of the Atlantic.
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Vallée de la Transition Énergétique |
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Sébastien Turgeon Florence Harvey |