Aerospace
Summerside’s Aerospace Sector
Summerside’s aerospace industry continues to reach new heights in just a short ten years since the industry was established in Prince Edward
Island. Aerospace is now Prince Edward Island’s fourth largest industry and it accounts for 25 per cent of international exports.
Some of the best-known names in aerospace have chosen Prince Edward Island. Honeywell Engines, Systems and Services; Vector
Aerospace Engine Services Atlantic; Wiebel Aerospace; Testori Americas Corp.; MDS-PRAD Technologies; and Tronos Canada Inc. all
have operations in Summerside.
There are over 700 employees in the aerospace industry in Summerside, representing roughly 10% of the total labour force. Over 24% of our business enterprise are engaged in the aerospace sector.
Summerside’s investment in the sector is also evident with Slemon Park, a 1,500 acre business park which includes a fully serviced
airport and numerous well- maintained hangars ranging in size from 25,000 to 300,000 square feet. It is also the only aerospace business
park in Canada that offers on-site training.
Holland College’s Aerospace Technology Centre has been an asset
in the development of the aerospace industry with its ability to tailor training programs to meet existing tenants’ needs or the specific
requirements of new tenants.
A Tax Rebate Incentive Program for all eligible aviation-related
companies provides a full rebate annually on all corporate income tax paid to the province for operations conducted at Slemon Park. There’s
also a full rebate annually of all sales tax paid to the overnment attributed to the purchase of goods and services, and a full rebate
annually of all real property tax attributable to ownership or rental of facilities at Slemon Park.
The vibrant aerospace industry in
Prince Edward Island holds promise for creating new employment opportunities and wealth for the province
well into the future.
Slemon Park Aerospace
Summerside boasts the unique offering of Slemon Aerospace Park - a premier business centre which features 600
hectares of prime industrial property, more than 50,000 square metres of state-of-the-art manufacturing and hangar
facilities, and its own privately operated airport with an 8,000 foot runway.
Some of the most recognizable names and leaders in the industry today have chosen Summerside and call Slemon
Aerospace Park home:
• Honeywell Engines Systems and Services
• Vector Aerospace Engine Services Atlantic
• Wiebel Aerospace
• Testori Americas Corp.
• MDS-PRAD 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.
Amenities
There is also a restaurant and full service conference centre, offering the best in local cuisine with catering options,
and comfortable accommodations available on-site.
Location & Accessibility
• East Coast of Canada, well positioned for North American and European markets
• 30 minute flight/3 hour drive to Halifax International Airport
• 45 minutes to Charlottetown Airport
• 5 minutes to TransCanada Highway
• 10 minutes to Summerside Port (ice free April-December)
Aerospace is PEI's fourth largest industry and second largest exporter, which accounts for 25% of international exports. Aviation related companies operating in Slemon Park receive a full anuual rebate on all provincial corporate income taxes.
Provincial Marketplace
The aerospace industry is Prince Edward Island’s second largest source of exports and fourth largest economic
sector. The majority of provincial industrial operations are focused on the regional aircraft market. However, Prince
Edward Island based companies are involved in other industry sub-sectors including space, defense, and mass-transit
machine production.
Export values, workforce, and overall industry growth have experienced a dramatic rise despite periods of decline
experienced in other markets across the sector since 2001. This represents PEI’s strength in the aerospace industry
and value placed on a collaborative business model. Current economic indicators show that aerospace on PEI is strong
and growing.
KPMG identified Canada as one of the lowest cost countries for Aerospace manufacturing – with labour savings of up
to 32% over the US. In Summerside overall operating costs are 10% lower than Ottawa, and the lowest in the Atlantic
provinces for maintenance and repair of aircraft parts.
All levels of government have recognized the importance of business and human resource investment. They have
collaborated to offer tax incentives and tailored financial solutions to our business and industry partner’s needs.
Training
Holland College’s Aerospace and Industrial Technology Centre in Slemon Park ensures the industry has the personnel
to meet their future growth. Our stable labour force and excellent training ensure the best value in the industry.
Prince Edward Island has created an attractive environment for the aerospace cluster focusing primarily on the
regional aircraft market, but also the helicopter, mass-transit and other related industries. The concentration of leaders
at Slemon Park Aerospace Centre are leading the way in growing this sector.
An incentive program includes an annual 100% rebate of Provincial Sales, Income Tax and Property Tax until the year
2012.
Other attractive site selection advantages include:
• Low operating costs
• Workforce
• Very competitive and flexible lease rates
• Private operational airport
• Hangar facilities for repair and overhaul, aircraft modification or research and development activities
Holland College’s courses are directed to meeting both the current and future needs of the aerospace industry. Its
aircraft gas turbine engine repair and overhaul course is accredited by the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council and
its aircraft maintenance technology course has received Transport Canada approval.
By strategically locating this facility in Slemon Park, students receive on-the-job training as well as classroom
instruction and have access to both full-time and part-time employment opportunities. Some of the courses offered
through the school include Aircraft Maintenance Technician, Aircraft Gas Turbine Engine Repair and Overhaul
Technology, Aircraft Gas Turbine Engine Repair and Overhaul Technician, Aircraft Structural Repair Technician,
Industrial Electrical Technician (IET) or Electrical Construction Wiring, Electromechanical Technician, and HVAC.
The creationof an attractive business climate by the Federal and Provincial governments through the formation of a tax free zone for aerospace
companies who locate to Slemon Park is one key site selection advantage of Slemon Park.
Tax Rebate Incentive Program
A 20 year tax rebate incentive program took effect on January 1, 1993 and applies to eligible companies which
establish operations at Slemon Park, Prince Edward Island. Eligible companies are defined as those engaged in aviation
or aerospace-related businesses, which may include, but is certainly not limited to, original equipment manufacturers,
strip and paint shops, repair and overhaul operations, training and various aviation support businesses.
The tax rebate
incentive program includes the following three taxes:
• Corporate Income Tax - A full rebate annually on all Corporate Income Tax paid to the government of Prince Edward
Island by aviation-related businesses for operations conducted at Slemon Park, Prince Edward Island.
• Sales Tax - A full rebate annually of all sales tax paid to the Government of Prince Edward Island attributed to the
purchase of goods and services related to aviation-related activities at Slemon Park, Prince Edward Island.
• Real Property Tax - A full rebate annually of all real property tax attributable to ownership or rental of facilities at
Slemon Park, Prince Edward Island.
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Note 1 - 1996 Canadian Average excluding PEI
Note 2 - Average 8 US States (TX,WA,OH,MA,NC,CA,AR,FL) selected due to significant presence
of aerospace industry.
Note 3 - Corporate capital taxes, franchise tax and business taxes for
both Canada and US as well as Canadian Investment Tax Credits have been excluded.
Note 4 - Sales tax rebate based on operations of $10 million in sales and employing 100 people.
Note 5 - Property tax rebate based upon 50,000 sq. ft. building
Learn More About The Aerospace Industry
Vector Aerospace
Holland College
MDS PRAD Technologies
Testori Americas Corporation
Weibel Aerospace
Slemon Park Corporation
Related downloads:
Aerospace Industry
PEI Aerospace Industry
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