Planning is underway for the development of a provincial information Technology & Innovation Centre. The announcement was made today by the Hon. Don MacKinnon, Minister of Development.
"Our government has long recognized and supported IT as an important growth sector for the Island economy. In response to community needs to broaden our knowledge-based economy, our government announced in the recent Speech from the Throne the intention to develop an Information Technology & Innovation Centre on the Island," said Minister MacKinnon.
To ensure that Prince Edward Island enjoys sustained economic growth in IT for the long-term a need for a core cluster of infrastructure has been identified in consultation with both the public and private sector as the next step towards expanding the culture of entrepreneurship in IT.
"In today's fast-paced IT sector government, educational institutions, and industry need a highly-skilled workforce as well as access and exposure to the latest in technology," says the Hon. Mitch Murphy, Minister of Technology. "With the development of an Information Technology & Innovation Centre we are helping address those needs," noted Minister Murphy.
The Province of Prince Edward Island has entered into negotiations with a variety of stakeholders including the federal government, the City of Charlottetown, educational institutions, and industry to determine what requirements need to be serviced in the proposed Information Technology & Innovation Centre.
"The ability to provide Island youth with quality educational opportunities will be bolstered through the development of such an initiative. The opportunities that this project offers to Island students and educators though increased exposure to technology and new fields such as electronic learning are very significant," said the Hon. Chester Gillan, Minister of Education.
Negotiations with the various stakeholders to date have been very positive and are ongoing. "It's our hope that we will be able to put the finishing touches on this project over the next few months during the budget process for the federal and provincial governments. With that completed the Island's IT industry can embark on the process of growing to the next level and continue to be a driving force in our increasingly knowledge-based economy," observed Minister MacKinnon.