Aerospace Sector Overview
Summerside’s aerospace industry continues to reach new heights, contributing to Prince Edward Island’s diverse economy. Some of the best-known names in aerospace have chosen Prince Edward Island. Honeywell Engines Systems and Services, Airbus – Vector Aerospace, MDS Coating Technologies Corporation, Testori, TubeFab Inc., and Tronos Canada Inc. all have operations in Summerside.
Runway: 06-24 (8,000’ x 200’)
Fuel: Jet A-1 (FS11 additive available) / Avgas (100LL)
Heated Hangars: 33,000 – 88,000 sq ft. with 30-50 ft. ceilings and door opening of 150+ ft.
Home to Specialized Training Facilities
Slemon Park is one of the most complete and cost-efficient training destinations in Canada. Home to the Canadian Centre for Public Safety Excellence, Slemon Park provides a specialized training facility for public safety and law enforcement organizations. A one-of-a-kind training centre, it combines skill-based competencies, academically sound curriculum, and state-of-the-art physical infrastructure, which includes indoor and outdoor firing ranges, indoor and outdoor scenario-based training buildings, a private airport for driver training, and use of force and driving simulators. For more information, please visit www.ccpse.ca.
Hospitality services including private or semi-private accommodations, and food services with meal plan options are available from the Slemon Park Hotel and Anson’s Restaurant, located adjacent to the training centre. Recreational facilities are also available on site. The centre offers the complete public safety training solution.
A Premier Air, MRO, and Training Hub of Atlantic Canada
Summerside boasts the unique offering of Slemon Park — a premier business centre that features 600 hectares of prime industrial property, more than 50,000 square metres of state-of-the-art manufacturing (component and sub-assembly within OEM supply-chain aviation training), pilot and aircrew, airport management, and aviation-related training. Some of the most recognizable names and leaders in the industry today have chosen Summerside and call Slemon Park home:
- Honeywell Engines Systems and Services
- Airbus – Vector Aerospace Engine Services Atlantic
- Testori Americas Corp.
- MDS Coating Technologies
- Tronos Canada Inc.
Slemon Park has also incorporated facilities and amenities to lower your total operating costs, increase access to training, and foster productivity in an inviting and convenient environment.
Summerside Airport — A Full-Service Facility
Summerside Airport services private, corporate, charter, and military clients, as well as our aerospace and manufacturing tenants. Our airport complements the thriving businesses that call Slemon Park home. Summerside Airport advantages:
- A full-service FBO
- Runway: 8,000 x 200 feet
- No scheduled passenger traffic; readily available air space for training, etc.
- Low landing and facility fees
- Quick turnaround time and quality, friendly service
- 300+ VFR days per year
- Automated Weather Observing System
- Extensive ramp space
Our Unique Benefits
Prince Edward Island provides a very competitive business case with savings between 5–20% depending on industry segment; access to a ready, willing, and able workforce; and some very specific and unique aerospace infrastructure (airport, hangars, and services). Home for more than 20 years to Honeywell and Airbus centres for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) operations.
Slemon Park is the provincial focal point for the aerospace industry in the Province of Prince Edward Island. Slemon Park is home to 20% of the manufacturing industry in the province. With a future focus on further development of the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), Tier 2&3 manufacturing, and aviation-related training industry subsectors.
- Airframe MRO
- Engine and Engine Accessories
- Avionics
- Manufacturing (T2/3)
- Component and Sub-assembly
- Aviation Training
- Pilot Training
IT Sector
The information technology sector has contributed significantly to the economy of Prince Edward Island. IT has driven the increase in jobs in recent years.
The contribution of the information technology sector to the GDP on Prince Edward Island from 2009 - 2013 increased over 60% faster than the overall GDP growth. The sector now contributes an estimated $178.6 million worth of direct GDP or about 3.5 percent of total provincial GDP.
Ranked 4th worldwide for Advanced Software Development by KPMG, Prince Edward Island is aggressively pursuing additional Health IT companies to join a world-class cluster in the City of Summerside. It is our belief that companies in this industry thrive when given the opportunity to collaborate with peers, share training costs and work together to influence government policy and incentive programs.
Specializing in Advances in ICT
Summerside’s Information Communications Technology (ICT) sector has become a major contributor to the unprecedented economic growth taking place in Summerside.
Summerside’s sound business fundamentals and progressive vision offer companies within the sector well-developed infrastructure, opportunities to access to capital, access to sector specific training institutions, and a quality of place unmatched in other communities.
In recent years, Summerside’s ICT sector has seen an emerging focus on e-Health Software development, Client Servicing and Support.
Our ICT sector can be categorized as three main streams of business:
- Development and Testing
- Software and specialized application producers, built-in software.
- Direct Services - development and maintenance of applications, consulting, outsourcing, network and telecom infrastructure integration and management.
We are seeking:
- Small to medium-sized niche firms with a focus on development or support
- Companies seeking a prime test-bed for products as part of their R&D
- Firms requiring an environment where like-minded companies can collaborate and innovate
- Companies with smaller workforce requirements, but who will benefit from the unparalleled loyalty and work ethic of Prince Edward Islanders
- Companies seeking a state-of-the-art smart building developed with green principles and the infrastructure required by the IT industry
- Firms that will realize meaningful benefits from the aggressive incentives and competitive costs offered in Prince Edward Island
Retail Sector
Summerside is the retail and commercial hub of western Prince Edward Island (PEI). The community of Summerside offers an ideal location to establish your outlet or franchise. Summerside is PEI's second largest city and represents 11% of the province's population. We are home to over 600 active businesses of which 115 are retail establishments.
In recent years, retail sales for the immediate catchment area of Summerside totaled over $350 million annually. More than half of that figure was spent in the city of Summerside itself. Summerside has several nodes designated for profitable retail enterprise and a wide variety of available retail spaces.
Eco Systems
Summerside is widely recognized as a leader and early adopter of green technologies. Our unique municipally owned infrastructure, combined with a business environment that encourages innovation, distinguishes us from other communities in Atlantic Canada.
Some of our many green initiatives include:
- A State-of-the Art Wind Farm
- Energy Efficiency & Smart Grid
- A Fleet of Electric Vehicles
- Green Building Practices
- Eco-friendly Waste and Water Treatment
A commitment to sustainable development and technologies is a driving force in the policies of the City of Summerside. Our businesses and residents expect it. Sustainability makes both fiscal and environmental sense. It is a pillar of our approach to renewable initiatives and economic development in our community.