ICT
We're a small city with a big idea:
To become a Centre of Excellence for Information Communications Technology. Our rapid growth in this sector can be attributed to our focused efforts to attract and retain the best companies and highly trained workforce to create an ITC cluster that is second to none.
Locating your ICT company in Summerside equates to multiple tax incentives, low operating costs, an world-class ecomonic development support.
The ICT Sector in Summerside
In a knowledge-based economy, the links between economic success, key strategic infrastructure and education are
keys to growing our ICT cluster. Summerside has understood and implemented several initiatives on both the labor and
infrastructure front to ensure we have the necessary skills and facilities to grow the sector.
We also have breadth as well as depth; current Summerside ICT firms focus on healthcare, web and new media applications, infrastructure deployment, manufacturing, applied research, product development and the aerospace industry. Both large-scale and smaller boutique operations characterize this sector: companies such as Carestream Health Services, Fiber Connections, Canadian Revenue Services, Resolve Corporation and Revolution Media have chosen Summerside as their home base for ICT operations.
Summerside works hard to build and foster a vibrant business community: we maintain low costs for property taxes,
services and utilities. These costs rank among the lowest of all cities in Canada and lowest in nine industrialized
countries as reported by KPMG. We have the room to accommodate growing businesses. Competitive lease rates and
land prices for high-quality industrial land and buildings have contributed to Summerside’s strong reputation for ICT
sector growth.
Summerside’s dynamic ICT cluster benefits from:
• Compelling R&D Incentives
• Thriving Business and Educational Partnerships
• Choice of Locations
• Competitive Costs
• Highly-Skilled Labour Force
• Strategic Location with Ready Access to Consumer and Industrial Markets
Provincial Marketplace and Competitive Advantage
Prince Edward Island’s ICT companies are creating solid reputations for their work in feature television and animation
production, community portal development, technical support services, hosted network services and application
development. Major industry players such as EDS, Unisys, Kodak, IBM and Compaq have all made significant
investments in Prince Edward Island.
Export values, workforce, and overall industry growth have experienced a dramatic rise despite periods of downturn
experienced in other markets across the sector since the decline of the dot.com market. This represents PEI’s strength
in the ICT industry and the value derived from a collaborative business model.
Technology PEI Inc. is a Provincial Crown Corporation established to advance the growth and development in Prince
Edward Island’s technology sector. They play a leadership role in the development, use and adoption of ICT technology
for business and community in PEI. Their approach to partnership provides easy access to key decision makers and
business incentives to ensure companies achieve success. More information can be found at www.techpei.com.
Why Invest in Summerside?
Labour force
With the nation’s highest participation rates and single digit turnover - the stability and work ethic of the PEI labour force
protects your investment. PEI has access to a readily available and qualified, year-round talent pool.
Location
PEI is one of ten Canadian provinces, and is located on the east coast in the Gulf of St. Lawrence with convenient
access to North American and European markets. Situation in the Atlantic Time zone, PEI is 4 hours behind London and
4 hours ahead of Los Angeles, and 1 hour ahead of the 47% of US firms in the Eastern Time zone.
Quality Infrastructure
As a modern Western economy, PEI can provide the latest in advanced technologies, leading financial institutions, and
R&D capabilities through world-class institutions and centres of excellence.
Quality of Life
Rated as “one of the world’s great Islands”, our appealing way of life will contribute to your firm’s recruitment of talent
seeking to exit the big-city environment. Summerside presents affordable residential properties, a low crime-rate, a
modest population, excellent health care and school systems. These are the advantages of Island recruitment.
Cost Certainty
The 2008 KPMG study on business costs identified Atlantic Canada as one of the lowest cost centers in the G7 and PEI
as the lowest cost in North America - a major benefit for attracting employees to the province. Add to this the fact that
our office rates are 15% - 25% cheaper than many metropolitan areas in Canada and the US, a strong local team of
corporate advisors, dedicated government partners, a highly skilled workforce, an excellent flow of ICT graduates from
the region’s further and higher education
establishments, and our commitment
to supporting the growth of local ICT
businesses and we’re convinced that you’ll
find the right home for your ICT business in
Summerside.
KPMG Competitive Alternatives Software Design 10 Year Average Annual Total Location Sensitive Costs |
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Compelling Incentives for Research and Development
ICT companies in PEI benefit from some of the most generous R&D incentives in the world. Through federal and
provincial tax incentives and credits, R&D performers earn a tax credit on every dollar spent on eligible R&D, including
capital equipment and overhead.
All levels of government have recognized the importance of business and human resource investment. They have
collaborated to offer tax incentives and tailored financial solutions to our business and industry partner’s needs.
A Less Taxing Environment:
• Federal Corporate Tax Rate 19%
• Federal Small Business Corporate Tax 11%
• Provincial Corporate Tax Rate (small business) 2.1%
• Provincial Corporate Tax Rate (other Business) 16%
• Provincial Commercial Property Tax Rate $1.50 per $100 of Assessment
• Municipal Commercial Property Tax Rate $1.92 per $100 of Assessment
• Average Industrial Land Price $12,000/acre
• A full annual rebate on all provincial taxes for aviation related business operating in Slemon Park
• 10 year tax rebate program for export-focused manufacturers or value added service providers
• 35% Scientific research and investment tax credit
• 10% Manufacturing equipment and machinery tax credit
Investment tax credits:
• Scientific Research and Investment Tax Credit
• Tax Credit on Manufacturing Equipment and Machinery 10%
• Capital Investment Tax Credit 10%
In PEI our partnerships provide client support to private sector information technology companies offering sustainable
job and wealth creation opportunities in Prince Edward Island. Through Technology PEI they deliver a number of
programs designed to help ompanies succeed in the knowledge economy. Areas of support include:
• Technology Ideas Assessment Program
• Marketing Assistance Program
• Capital Acquisition Support Program
• Rental Incentive Program
• Equity Investors Incentive Program
• Professional Services Assistance Program
• Labour Force Support
Prince Edward Island Labour Force 77,600
Employment 68,700
Unemployment 8,900
Employment Rate 59.5
Unemployment Rate 11.5
Participation Rate 67.2
Summerside Labour and Employment
The ICT industry demands highly educated and versatile workers—and ours are best in class. They’re a big reason
why our industry is thriving and recognized the world over for its expertise in everything from health care software,
aerospace engineering, fibre optic cabling enterprise to contact centers.
Post Secondary Education
Holland College Computer Information Systems
Two years of academic study with a 12 week internship provides students with the knowledge, skills and
practical experience to anage technical enterprise infrastructures.
Holland College Interactive MultiMedia
Post Graduate Diploma; new media technologies in a creative and applied atmosphere.
University of PEI
MBA – Specialization in Innovative Management
Summerside Education - Population Breakdown |
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Summerside: A community poised for growth
Summerside is a community striding confidently into the future. Though in relative terms it may be small in size, it is
home to big ideas, big opportunities, and big experiences.
As the Island’s second largest and fastest growing city, Summerside offers diverse career and exciting business
opportunities. Factor in world-class recreational facilities, affordable living in beautiful surroundings, and its abundance
of services and you will begin to see why Summerside is a superior community in which to live, work, and play!
Opportunity Knocks
Summerside provides companies with a competitive business environment where key location sensitive costs such as
real estate and labour are significantly lower than most North American markets.
Summerside’s proposition for business development includes:
• Central PEI location with a trade area population of 45,000 – 35% of the Island marketshare
• Proximity to larger markets – Summerside’s strong infrastructure network connects business to a market in
excess of 22 million people all within a day’s drive
• Transportation links – international airport, deep water port, and proximity to
Confederation Bridge (20 minutes)
• Skilled, dedicated & available workforce – demonstrated capacity for attracting and retaining core talent
• Tax Free Zones, Tailored Incentive Packages, Research & Development Clusters for specific sectors
• High quality of life for employees
• Business Costs lowest in Canada
All levels of government have recognized the importance of business and human resource investment. They have
collaborated to offer tax incentives and tailored financial solutions to our business and industry partner’s needs.
Summerside by the Numbers
Population
City of Summerside 14,500
Prince County 44,499
Province 140,402 (Stats Canada: Published January 2009)
Labour Force (March 2009)
Summerside Labour Force – 11,700
Prince Edward Island Labour Force – 77,600
Unemployment Rate – 11.5%
Economic Development Services
How can we foster innovation? How can we help employees maximize their effectiveness? How can we collaborate to
offer an investment and enterprise friendly environment? These are some of the key questions Summerside has asked
itself in planning its economic development.
We have joined forces with our business leaders, government partners, and city visionaries to offer a variety of
innovative industry practices, tax incentives AND customized business investment solutions. Consider the advantages
of putting Summerside and a partnership to work for you!
The Economic Development Office is the information focal point for companies and organizations contemplating
locating in Summerside, redevelopment or expansion of existing operations, or consolidation of their industrial/
commercial activities. We offer our clients a one-stop environment and seek to be of service in any way we can.
| Information & Communication Technology Sector Guide |  |
| Traffic Count 2004- 2008 | |
| Resolve Corporation | |
| Fiber Connections | |
| Revolution Media | |
| Carestream Health | |
