Newsletter
2024 was a landmark year for the City of Summerside, defined by significant investments, local business expansions, new partnerships, and collaborative initiatives that continue to diversify and strengthen our economy.
Fueled by an extraordinary business community, Summerside experienced unparalleled growth across all sectors—from entrepreneurship and innovation to cleantech investments, workforce expansion, and major construction projects in key industries.
Summerside has established a strong, recognizable brand built on an authentic, results-driven investment promise. With a proven track record of delivering outcomes, fostering collaboration, and earning a reputation for trust, our city is emerging as Prince Edward Island’s premier investment destination.
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, we remain focused on even greater achievements, particularly in manufacturing, aerospace, information technology, and cleantech. While we’ve made remarkable progress, there is still much more to accomplish. The Summerside Economic Development Team is committed to strengthening our local economy, attracting global investment in our key sectors, and identifying new opportunities to drive growth.
Shaping Summerside’s future is a collective effort—driven by the strength of our community. While our focus remains local, our vision is global, and we are energized by the opportunities ahead. With a compelling business case, an exceptional quality of life, and a thriving, business-focused community, Summerside is positioned for success.
In the coming weeks, we will release the Summerside Economic Development Annual Report and look forward to sharing key insights, engaging in investment discussions, and forging new partnerships to continue advancing our economy.
The Power of Buying Local
Supporting local businesses in small communities is essential for fostering sustainable growth and creating thriving local economies. One of the most effective ways to support small businesses is by prioritizing local purchases. Buying from local businesses generates jobs, increases economic resilience, and keeps money circulating within our community. In fact, the City of Summerside recently passed a resolution to prioritize buying locally and Canadian-made products.
Why Buying Local Matters
Local businesses play a vital role in economic stability. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), small and medium-sized enterprises contribute nearly 50% of Canada’s GDP. Studies show that for every $100 spent at a locally owned business in Canada, approximately $63 stays in the local economy, compared to only $14 when spent at a multinational corporation.
Examples of Buy-Local Impact in Summerside
- Summerside Farmers' Market—The Summerside Farmers' Market provides direct support to local farmers, artisans, and food producers, ensuring fresh and locally sourced goods remain accessible to the community.
- Independent Shops and Boutiques—Local businesses thrive due to community support, offering unique products and experiences that reflect the character of Summerside.
- Local Food and Beverage Industry—Restaurants often prioritize ingredients from Island farms and fishers, strengthening connections between businesses and our traditional industries of agriculture and fisheries.
- Craft and Artisan Economy—The Eptek Art & Culture Centre and the Wyatt Heritage Properties highlight locally made crafts, promoting artisans and cultural heritage through community engagement.
How to Encourage Buying Local
- Shop Local Campaigns—PEI Chambers' “Shop Local, PEI” initiative (https://shoplocalpei.ca) encourages residents to support small businesses through promotions and events.
- Partnerships with Local Suppliers—Restaurants, retailers, and service providers often collaborate with Island farmers, fisheries, and manufacturers to ensure a supply chain that benefits the local economy.
- Educational Outreach—Local organizations like the Chamber and Downtown Summerside promote the benefits of supporting Summerside businesses through outreach and community events.
- Leveraging Social Media—Using hashtags like #ShopLocalPEI and #ShopSummerside can help increase visibility and engagement for small businesses.
Somethings to Remember to
Ask Yourself Before You Buy
Ask Yourself Before You Buy
Can I buy it here in PEI?
Supporting local businesses helps maintain jobs and strengthens our communities.
Is it an Island-produced product?
Choosing products grown, crafted, or manufactured in PEI directly supports our local farmers, fishers, artisans, and manufacturers.
Can I buy a Canadian version of this product?
If a local option isn’t available, purchasing Canadian-made goods helps keep wealth within the country.
We all have a role to play in protecting local jobs and keeping our economy strong. Whether you’re a consumer, business owner, or community leader, increasing the percentage you spend with locally run businesses, in person or online, makes a real and impactful difference.
Driving Innovation in Summerside:
From Testing to Market-Ready Solutions
From Testing to Market-Ready Solutions
The City of Summerside, located in Prince Edward Island, Canada, has emerged as a national leader in fostering innovation through a unique approach centered on the “Summerside Xchange,” a living lab focused on fostering innovation, addressing challenges, and spurring economic investment.
This model embraces a “fail fast, fail cheap” philosophy powered by rapid cycles of learning, allowing existing businesses and entrepreneurs to test, validate, and commercialize new products effectively. By leveraging the city’s infrastructure, supportive business environment, and commitment to real-world testing, Summerside has become a key destination for existing companies and innovators looking to scale their ideas while collaborating with a municipality on real issues and problem-solving.
This model embraces a “fail fast, fail cheap” philosophy powered by rapid cycles of learning, allowing existing businesses and entrepreneurs to test, validate, and commercialize new products effectively. By leveraging the city’s infrastructure, supportive business environment, and commitment to real-world testing, Summerside has become a key destination for existing companies and innovators looking to scale their ideas while collaborating with a municipality on real issues and problem-solving.
Turning Ideas into Market-Ready Solutions
Summerside offers an integrated ecosystem where businesses can turn innovative ideas into viable products. The city’s commitment to supporting companies advancing toward commercialization extends beyond traditional business incubation models. Through strategic partnerships with its municipal infrastructure, the city provides a unique platform for companies to validate technologies in a real-world setting. This includes access to its innovative Smart Grid system, renewable energy projects, and municipal facilities that serve as testbeds for technologies like utility-scale renewable generation and storage, advanced electric vehicle chargers, smart home/grid systems, and sustainable building materials.
Innovative companies working in sectors like cleantech, smart technology, and digital solutions can conduct pilot projects supported by the city. These projects allow for real-time data collection, helping entrepreneurs identify potential issues early. This process enables faster product adjustments and smoother transitions from development to market launch.
Innovative companies working in sectors like cleantech, smart technology, and digital solutions can conduct pilot projects supported by the city. These projects allow for real-time data collection, helping entrepreneurs identify potential issues early. This process enables faster product adjustments and smoother transitions from development to market launch.
Fail Fast, Fail Cheap:
Innovate Smarter, Scale Faster
Innovate Smarter, Scale Faster
Central to Summerside’s innovation framework is the “fail fast, fail cheap” mindset. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to test products early in the development process, allowing them to detect and correct problems at minimal cost. This approach not only lowers the financial risk associated with product development but also accelerates learning cycles.
The city actively supports pilot projects that enable rapid testing, reducing the time it takes for entrepreneurs to reach key decision points. This process involves building prototypes, conducting small-scale tests, and gathering critical customer feedback—all within a controlled yet real-world environment. Businesses that adapt quickly can pivot or refine their offerings efficiently, ensuring that only market-ready solutions move forward.
The First Customer Advantage:
Fast-Tracking Market Credibility
Fast-Tracking Market Credibility
What sets Summerside apart from other innovation hubs is its willingness to act as a company’s first customer. By purchasing and deploying validated products, the city provides businesses developing new products with an invaluable market endorsement. This first-customer experience helps companies gain credibility, making it easier for them to secure additional customers, investors, and market opportunities—key components of business growth.
Local success stories include cleantech companies that initially tested their technologies within the city’s infrastructure and later expanded into international markets. By serving as both a testing ground and an early adopter, Summerside plays a dual role that accelerates commercialization and global scalability. Existing businesses and entrepreneurs gain real-world testimonials, performance data, and case studies that can be leveraged when approaching potential investors and customers.
A Thriving Ecosystem for
Commercialization and Growth
Commercialization and Growth
Summerside’s innovation ecosystem extends well beyond testing. Organizations like Innovation PEI, the National Research Council—IRAP, ACOA, and local post-secondary institutions, including UPEI & Holland College—Cleantech Academy, provide essential support in the form of funding, mentorship, and technical expertise. Businesses gain access to grant programs, R&D tax incentives, and export development initiatives designed to propel their products into global markets.
Additionally, the city’s proactive approach to connecting entrepreneurs with potential partners and investors is key to long-term business success. Trade missions, investor showcases, and international business forums offer businesses the chance to scale globally after proving their concepts locally. These strategic initiatives ensure that validated products are not only market-ready but also equipped with the resources needed for sustainable growth beyond Summerside.
Shaping the Future of Innovation:
A Strategic Blueprint
A Strategic Blueprint
Summerside’s innovation-first strategy, built on a foundation of real-world testing, customer validation, and rapid learning cycles, sets a powerful example for other municipalities seeking to foster technological advancement. The city’s approach, combined with its willingness to serve as a first customer, has created a unique innovation ecosystem that attracts entrepreneurs from across Canada and beyond.
By reducing development risks, lowering market entry barriers, and providing crucial early-stage support, Summerside continues to help turn groundbreaking ideas into impactful solutions. Its approach positions the city as a leading destination for technology-driven growth and sustainable economic development, proving that innovation thrives where support, infrastructure, and opportunity align.
By reducing development risks, lowering market entry barriers, and providing crucial early-stage support, Summerside continues to help turn groundbreaking ideas into impactful solutions. Its approach positions the city as a leading destination for technology-driven growth and sustainable economic development, proving that innovation thrives where support, infrastructure, and opportunity align.
Summerside Quick Facts
If you are interested in learning more about investment opportunities, economic development support or opportunities for growth, please call our Economic Development Professionals.
We would love to chat.
Alternatively, you can email us at mike@summerside.ca.
It could be the most profitable email you have ever sent.
Michael Thususka
Director of Economic Development City of Summerside
275 Fitzroy Street, Summerside PE C1N 1H9
M: 902.432.0103, E: mike@summerside.ca
LET’S BUILD THE FUTURE TOGETHER!
It could be the most profitable email you have ever sent.
Michael Thususka
Director of Economic Development City of Summerside
275 Fitzroy Street, Summerside PE C1N 1H9
M: 902.432.0103, E: mike@summerside.ca
LET’S BUILD THE FUTURE TOGETHER!