The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Labour and Member of Parliament for Cardigan District, together with Premier Pat Binns today announced funding of $865,000 for Island Quality Vegetables Inc. The funding announcement was made at the official opening of the new Island Quality Vegetables Inc. facility on Commercial Road in Kilmuir. During the ceremony, Minister MacAulay and Premier Binns officially "tripped the switch" on the production line.
The new production plant will process locally grown cole crops for domestic and international markets. It will mean 50 seasonal jobs and two year-round jobs for Prince Edward Island. Approximately 100 acres of cauliflower will be processed this season and 400 acres of cauliflower and broccoli will be processed next year.
"This new processing plant builds on our unique strengths. It uses our skills and experiences in farming and market development. It will make a difference in the lives of many Prince Edward Islanders," said Minister MacAulay. "It is an excellent example of the Government of Canada's Jobs Strategy in action."
"Expansion of the cole crop industry in Prince Edward Island will assist in the diversification of the agriculture sector on PEI," said Premier Binns. "In addition, the Island Quality Vegetables plant will continue to strengthen the food-processing industry and the community in the Southern Kings area."
"Island Quality Vegetables Inc. was the vision of several farmers in the Southern Kings area, who wanted to see agricultural crops diversified," said Harry Nabuurs, President of the company. "Thanks to tremendous support from governments and the community, that vision has today been realized."
The Government of Canada's contribution toward the new production facility is more than $0.5 million. It includes a total of $340,000 from Human Resources Development Canada through the Transitional Jobs Fund, and the Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement and a loan of $225,000 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency's Business Development Program. The Province of Prince Edward Island, through Enterprise PEI, is supporting the project with a preferred share investment of $300,000. Enterprise PEI has also provided a 30 percent incentive to the shareholders.
In addition to the Federal and Provincial contributions, through tremendous and much appreciated community support, shareholders of Island Quality Vegetables Inc. have contributed $400,000.
The project supports the Government of Canada's Jobs Strategy through the use of programs such as the Transitional Jobs Fund and the Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement.