For Immediate Release
Summerside, PEI – The Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce has recently polled its membership to determine what issues are at the forefront of the Business Community coming into the upcoming Provincial Election. The results were surprising.
26% of respondents were optimistic about the business environment heading into this election. The recurring theme from local businesses who participated in the survey was that, while Summerside is a growing community with tremendous potential for economic development, it needs the support of the government to ensure that it can continue to grow and thrive.
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57% of respondents noted that they would like their MLA to support Summerside through Economic Development and increased investment.
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Over half of the businesses surveyed stated that economic development and investment in Summerside was something that they considered to be a priority in this election.
“The Summerside Business Community has spoken and they are very clear about what is a priority for them in this election” states Kaley O’Brien, Executive Director of the Summerside Chamber. “Summerside and surrounding area remains at a competitive disadvantage to other communities, such as Charlottetown, which has the infrastructure of a community economic development board and focus.”
For 47 years the Summerside Regional Development Corporation (SRDC) was an active player in the business scene within the Summerside community, but In 2018 the SRDC was dismantled and left as a shell of its former self, no longer serving the Summerside Region in any meaningful capacity.
Without the SRDC there is a growing concern that Summerside’s economic growth has become stagnant and is not adapting to the changing needs of the community. Business owners and community leaders are concerned that without reform and refocus in Summerside, that Summerside will be unable to drive the economic development needed to support the region’s growing population.
On October 17th 2022, Premier Dennis King announced his commitment to renewing the regional economic development priority. The Chamber supports this call and is seeking input from all parties regarding their vision on what a regional economic revitalization may look like.
Blake Doyle, President of the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce reflects “through the election cycle, there is great opportunity to reimagine and modernize the purpose and approach to economic development priorities for the City and the province.”
The Chamber is planning a follow-up discussion in consultation with other stakeholders following the conclusion of the election campaign and are looking forward to working with provincial, municipal, Federal and local community stakeholders to move forward on commitments made.
As the voice for Business in Summerside, the Chamber is calling on all political parties to commit to a reform of the SRDC, including increased funding and new leadership, to ensure that the organization can effectively promote economic development in Summerside.
For additional information contact: Kaley O’Brien
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Kaley O’Brien
Executive Director
Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce
(902) 436-9651