SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — City staff in Summerside have recently seen a "dramatic" increase in businesses - both new and old - inquiring about what Summerside might have to offer them, a councillor said.
"Around what opportunities may exist to expand," Coun. Brian McFeely said. "It's really kind of a hodgepodge of different kinds of inquiries."
He spoke to the increase in his economic development report during Summerside's monthly council meeting at city hall on Aug. 17. The department consists of just two staff members, including director Mike Thususka, and its committee is chaired by McFeely.
Over the past six weeks the department has dealt with more than 100 inquiries, its goal being to help foster their growth in Summerside and establish a positive environment for innovation, McFeely said in a follow-up interview with The Guardian.
"It has been a busy time for the two of them."
AT A GLANCE:
Development inquiries:
- One business, IO Solutions call centre, has been in touch with Summerside's economic development department because it's planning to expand by hiring about 150 new employees.
- "So the city's assisting them with helping recruit those folks," Coun. Brian McFeely said.
- Another point of interest for clients is the city's in-development eco industrial park, and the department has also been helping businesses work through the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic may have had on them, he said.
Clients include existing local business owners, national and international businesses, and immigrant entrepreneurs looking to settle and become integrated into the community.
As for the timing of the increase, McFeely believes it's partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many business owners likely would have taken a step back to gauge how it would affect their business, he said.
Now, they're ready to move forward and put their new plans and ideas in motion.
"To try and advance whatever opportunities they may see."
Daniel Brown is a local journalism initiative reporter, a position funded by the federal government.
