A regional manufacturing facility will be established in Pooles Corner, thanks to a combined investment by the Government of Canada and the Government of Prince Edward Island.
Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Honourable Robert Ghiz, Premier of PEI, today announced an the investment of $3.3 million to support the purchase and renovation of an 80,000 square-foot facility in Pooles Corner. Manufacturing has been identified as a priority area for both levels of government.
“This project is a great example of government and community partnering to create sustainable employment and attract investment to rural Prince Edward Island,” said Mr. Keddy. “This new centre will help PEI seize the significant opportunities that exist within the advanced manufacturing sector.”
Through its Innovative Communities Fund, ACOA will provide $2.3 million to Active Communities Development Inc. to establish the regional manufacturing facility. This infrastructure, coupled with a skilled local labour force and the world-class welding training institute at Holland College Georgetown Centre, will help attract advanced manufacturing companies to PEI. This centre will be owned and managed by Active Communities Development Inc.
“The Government of Prince Edward Island is pleased to welcome Opacmare Americas to the province,” said Premier Robert Ghiz. “By establishing a North American presence, this world class manufacturing company will create highly skilled jobs for Islanders. The international partnership also reflects a growing confidence in the quality of our labour force and the strength of our economy."
The creation of this world-class facility led the Italian-based Opacmare Americas Corporation to decide to set up its North American subsidiary in PEI. AOCA will support Opacmare with a repayable loan of $550,000 through its Business Development Program. The investment will help the company purchase equipment and support the acquisition of highly skilled management staff.
Opacmare’s line of yacht accessories requires sophisticated electronics, the finest grade of stainless steel available on the market, and unique materials. With a company catalogue offering more than 500 products, divided into 10 categories from windows and weatherboards to windscreens, cranes, stern platforms, and small size accessories, there will be an immediate requirement for high-skilled welders and craftsmen in Prince Edward Island.
“I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to the federal and provincial governments for their continuous support as we establish our North American presence on Prince Edward Island; and I would be remiss not to mention the efforts of the Canadian Embassy officials in Milan and Rome,” said Robert Sacco, Opacmare’s President. “The proximity of the company’s Opacmare Americas branch will ensure that we can meet the demand of our next target growth market - the USA.”
Founded in 1995, Opacmare has been in constant expansion since its inception. This world class supplier offers a wide-range of standard and customized leading-edge products which allows yacht builders to deal with one supplier - simplifying the business process. With a lucrative market in the US, the company recognized the need to have a manufacturing presence in North America.