CENTRAL BEDEQUE, P.E.I. — Opportunities for women in business may improve after the federal government announced it would work to establish a new Rural Women's Business Centre in central P.E.I.
On Wednesday, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) announced support for the P.E.I. Business Women's Association by redeveloping existing workspace in Central Bedeque to provide increased programming and career-building resources for women business owners and professionals in rural P.E.I.
"As the only businesswomen’s association in the province with an Islandwide mandate, we’re thrilled to launch the Rural Women’s Business Centre in Central Bedeque. Not only will it expand our capacity in West Prince to Central Queens to build partnerships, offer training, promote networking and mentoring, and establish co-working space and advisory services, it will advance local women entrepreneurs and their ability to create a thriving rural business environment," said Margaret Magner, the executive director of the P.E.I. Business Women's Association.
Member of Parliament for Malpeque, Wayne Easter, was on hand at the announcement.
"For more than two decades, PEIBWA has been an essential resource for our business community with its programming offered to professional and businesswomen across the Island. This new business centre will continue the tremendous work they have thus far accomplished," said Easter.
The new initiative could provide Island business women with further supports and representation and skills.
"I applaud the Prince Edward Island Business Women's Association for this exciting new initiative to address the special needs and challenges of rural women entrepreneurs. As one of the most rural provinces in Canada, supporting and encouraging rural women will help to grow the economy," said Jamie Fox, the minister responsible for the Central Bedeque area.
