In mid\u2010November, the delegate companies participated in a 4\u2010day tour of Summerside and across PEI where they engaged with over 50 local business and academic institutions to forge relationships and explore business expansion in Summerside to support North American growth plans.<\/p>\n
The City worked with Fraser International, an business matchmaker, to select participants based on in\u2010market discussions and screening over the course of a five\u2010month period to identify UK based companies looking for a location in North American where they could base operations to service growing market ambitions. Officials from the City of Summerside initially met the Fraser group during a spring outbound mission to the UK in 2015; the forged relationship would eventually help create this PEI visit.<\/p>\n
The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency contributed $28,000 to the City of Summerside to support the planning and execution of the inward investment mission. The Government of Prince Edward Island, through Innovation PEI supported the project with a $12,000 contribution.<\/p>\n
The City of Summerside is already reporting successful outcomes \u2010 two companies are exploring joint venture opportunities; another company is looking to start its global expansion by hiring staff to launch a North American presence in Summerside; and the other mission companies have expressed serious interest in exploring expansion efforts this year.<\/p>\n
Quotes<\/h2>\n
\u201cTrade and Investment is key to economic growth in Atlantic Canada and with so much to offer it is\u00a0<\/em>important to engage in activities like this inbound investment mission to share the business possibilities\u00a0<\/em>that exist in Canada\u2019s smallest province. The City of Summerside continues to strategically champion\u00a0<\/em>economic development opportunities \u2010 the benefits are measurable and on track to be profitable.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u2010 Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains,\u00a0<\/strong>Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic\u00a0<\/strong>Canada Opportunities Agency<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt is vital that all levels of Government work together to show businesses and entrepreneurs that there is tremendous potential for success in Prince Edward Island. Our strong economy and hard working people combined with the wide variety of supports available to help businesses expand and succeed make our province an ideal location to expand or to start a new enterprise.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u2010 The Honourable Chris Palmer, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cCreating meaningful relations between Summerside and International Companies looking to expand in North America are the building blocks of any successful Economic Growth Strategy. Given the sound business fundamentals, established networks and track record of Summerside with its existing infrastructure and programs such as the Living Lab has accelerated the interest of Summerside in our niche sectors.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u2010 Brian McFeely, Chair of Economic Development, City of Summerside<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Michael\u00a0ThususkaContacts<\/h2>\n
\nDirector\u00a0of\u00a0Economic\u00a0Development\u00a0 City\u00a0Of\u00a0Summerside
\n275\u00a0Fitzroy\u00a0Street\u00a0 Summerside\u00a0PE\u00a0C1N\u00a01H9
\nMobile:\u00a0\u00a0902.432.0103
\nEmail:\u00a0\u00a0mike@summerside.ca<\/a>
\nWeb:\u00a0\u00a0www.bigpossibilities.ca<\/a>
\nTwitter:\u00a0\u00a0@SummersideBiz\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fraserinternational.com\/fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/pdf-2127829_640.png\")