Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Allan Campbell today welcomed news of recent growth at an information technology company in Kensington, Prince Edward Island.
Geosurf Inc. specializes in the design and development of desktop and web based GIS (Geographical Information Systems) software. The company currently provides services to the oil and gas industry as well as municipal governments. Geosurf employs 4 people and has just moved into the KenNet Centre in Kensington.
“We are pleased to see positive growth and economic development taking place in Kensington,” said Hon. Allan Campbell, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning and the Minister responsible for Innovation PEI. “Information technology continues to create exciting job opportunities for Islanders and this expansion is further evidence of our Government’s commitment to strengthening and diversifying our economy.”
Mike Taylor was working for a GIS company that designed software solutions for the oil and gas industry. While working in Red Deer, Alberta, he developed a Land Owner Information Database (LOID) used for Emergency Response for his employer. Mr. Taylor established his own business in 2007 and moved to Prince Edward Island in 2008 to launch Geosurf Inc.
“I started my own business to have the ability to work one-on-one with the clients and to diversify my skills,” said Mr. Taylor, president of Geosurf Inc. “We moved to Prince Edward Island because of the people, the community, and of course the Island. PEI has an abundance of resources to aid in growing an IT company. It just made sense to us.”
Geosurf Inc. has recently hired two junior programmers to develop and maintain desktop and web solutions that are used in the oil and gas industry. The company plans to hire an additional software developer this year to keep up with new demand for its IT products and services. Currently, 90 per cent of the company’s sales are in the oil and gas industry; 10 per cent of sales are to municipalities.
Hon. Wes Sheridan, Minister of Finance and Municipal Affairs, also extends his congratulations to the owners of the company, Mike and Julie Taylor.
“The Government of Prince Edward Island is pleased to see growth in the small business sector across the province,” said Minister Sheridan, MLA for Kensington-Malpeque. “Kensington is a great place to live and do business. The community offers first class office space, access to broadband, and the services and amenities companies need to compete in a global economy. Today’s announcement will create jobs and provide opportunities for further economic development in the area.”
Geosurf Inc. is hosting an open house with other businesses located at the KenNet Centre on Thursday, February 18, 2010, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. The KenNet Centre is located at 28 Garden Drive, Kensington, Prince Edward Island.
Innovation PEI is focused on advancing economic development in Prince Edward Island by investing in people, innovation and infrastructure. The agency’s goal is to build a stronger, more innovative province by helping business create sustainable employment and economic opportunities.
ABOUT GEOSURF INC:
GeoSurf Inc. is a software solutions provider based out of Kensington PEI that focuses on delivering high quality desktop and web based applications. Specializing in GIS based software allows GeoSurf Inc to take applications to the next level by adding a spatial location to the picture. The company’s goal is to provide solutions that everyone can use and software that just works.
For more information on Geosurf Inc., please visit www.geosurfinc.com.
ABOUT KENNET:
KenNet Inc. is a non-profit incorporated community organization that provides access to IT services for Kensington and surrounding communities, from Malpeque Bay to Stanley Bridge. It features commercial office suites, a computer lab for training and public internet access, and a sophisticated network infrastructure that enables services such as video conferencing.