- May 11, 2012
- Impact Expo Provides Opportunity for Students
- Nearly 100 high school students from Three Oaks and Kensington got hands-on... Read More
- Apr 24, 2012
- Holland College ramps up recruiting efforts for Summerside IT training
- Holland College hopes to lure students to its new Prince County campus with... Read More
- Feb 25, 2012
- New link-way gives new life to the Holman Centre
- It used to be part of Summerside’s downtown street system in the early 1900... Read More
- Feb 21, 2012
- Holland College offers new e-health programs
- Governments invest in skills development in Prince Edward Island through th... Read More
- Jan 26, 2009
- CONTINUED REVITALIZATION OF THE HISTORIC HOLMAN’S BUILDING
The business community in Summerside will benefit from the continued revitalization of the historically significant Holman’s Building, thanks to an additional $1.2 million dollar federal investment from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), through the Innovative Communities Fund (ICF). The Honourable Gail Shea, on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (ACOA), announced funding for Phase II of the project today.
“The Government of Canada is committed to investing in infrastructure projects that support the development of self-sustaining and economically viable communities,” said the Honourable Gail Shea. “This project will enable the business community of Summerside to successfully develop and grow its medical IT systems industry for the long-term, and further improve its economic development capacity, resulting in benefits for all residents.”
The Holman’s Building, located on Water Street in the city’s downtown core, was built in 1857 and served as Summerside’s hub for over 135 years. The Summerside Regional Development Corporation (SRDC) acquired it in 2007 with a view to bring the old building “back to life” and convert the property into a multi-use business centre.
“A revitalized Holman’s Building is once again becoming an important landmark for the Summerside business community,” said the Honourable Allan Campbell, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning. “The Government of Prince Edward Island has provided a $2.9 million loan for the renovations and we are also highlighting the project in our economic and innovation strategy, Island Prosperity: A Focus For Change. The Holman Building will house a new E-Health Centre to test and demonstrate products for the medical IT industry. This will lead to new economic and employment opportunities for Islanders.”
Phase I, began in May 2007 and has been completed. It included the purchase of the building, a new roof system, demolition and clean-up, upper floor leveling and new windows. The second phase will include exterior brick remediation, exterior façade completion, stone tile application, elevator installation, exterior lighting and canopies, window replacement, stairwell finish work, parking lot reconstruction and selected fit-up to the interior of the building.
“The revitalization of the Holman’s Building has been identified as the key component and economic focal point for the renewal of the downtown core,” said Ron Barrett, President of the SRDC. “Thanks to ACOA’s continued support for this redevelopment project, in addition to the initial investments made by the federal and provincial governments, we can help advance the economic development goals of the City of Summerside by attracting new businesses and creating employment opportunities.”
The multi-phase project has been supported to date by a $1 million investment from ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund, a $2.9 million low-interest loan from the Province of PEI’s Century Fund and just over $900,000 from SRDC to complete Phase I. The second phase of renovations is being funded by an additional $1.2 million investment from ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund and $300,000 from SRDC.
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