For the last eight years, the British Columbia-based firm Rainforest Publications Inc. has provided Canadian non-profit agencies — such as Ducks Unlimited, the National Ballet and the Canadian Cancer Society — with reference books about potential corporate donors. Steady growth over the years has led the company's major shareholders, Terry and Cindy Burton, to develop and market an Internet-based reference service called Prospect Research Online.
Already successful in the Canadian market, the company decided to expand by developing an American on-line version for non-profit agencies south of the border. In order to expand, the company needed to move to a location which could best accommodate its needs. After the company's plans were pitched to over 20 provinces and states, Rainforest Publications decided to set up shop in Charlottetown, PEI. The combination of top-quality infrastructure — such as a state-of-the-art telecommunications network — and financial assistance from Enterprise PEI made Charlottetown an easy choice.
"Rainforest Publications is another example of our government's commitment to expanding small business on PEI," said Wes MacAleer, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. "Internet-based companies are big employers of young people and we are pleased to have the opportunity to support youth employment in PEI."
"Coming to Prince Edward Island has been a triple win situation — our clients win, the province wins and the company wins. What more could we want."
Currently, Rainforest Publications is ahead of schedule in launching the American version of its Internet-based reference service. Over 200 subscribers from the United States and Canada are already being supported by the PEI staff — numbering 20. Financial performance is also steaming ahead. The company is projecting to record over $1 million in subscriber revenues by 1998, placing Rainforest Publications among Canada's top 100 fastest growing companies.
With the help of top-notch communications infrastructure, small businesses — like Rainforest Publications — can deliver a competitive product to the global market place from PEI.