Nominations open for Angus MacLean Natural Areas Award
The P.E.I. Bag Company is getting an infusion of public funds to help with the replacement of a 50-year-old printing press.
The long-standing Summerside-area company, based in Bedeque, announced Thursday that it has secured federal and provincial funding totalling a little more than $1.4 million to help pay for the upgrade.
The federal government, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, is contributing a $400,000 loan while the province is providing a $900,000 loan and a non-repayable grant of $142,000.
Thane Smallwood, general manager of the P.E.I. Bag Company, said the new press is a Flexotechnica, built by Italian company KBA. It’s currently being assembled with help from the manufacturer, and he expects it to be fully operational by October.
Smallwood said the investment will help maintain the 39 jobs at the bag company’s plant by keeping its products strong. The update will also allow the plant to double its bag printing capacity, which will prompt the hiring of two more people immediately and add more jobs into the future as it takes on new customers.
“This press really takes us to the next level in terms of our print quality and our ability to supply high-quality prints and high-quality products to our customers,” said Smallwood. “This was absolutely a foundational decision for this company for the next 10 to 20 years.”
Provincial Economic Development Minister Chris Palmer called the significant investment of provincial funds in this project a sound investment in a sound Island business.
“It’s a great investment,” said Palmer. “It’s a $900,000 loan. We as a province charge interest on that and we’ll make money on that. So, it’s a great piece of equipment for an established company. There is very little risk for us, in terms of the payback of that. So, we’re happy to support them.”
The P.E.I. Bag Company was established in 1935 by three entrepreneurs, and their descendants are still co-owners in the company.
Its bags are used to hold and transport potatoes, shellfish, animal feed, flour, sugar and a number of other products.
The Island Nature Trust has put out the call for nominations for the 2018 J. Angus MacLean Natural Areas Award.
Named in honour of the former premier and conservationist, the award honours individuals or groups that have made a significant and lasting difference in increasing or improving natural areas across P.E.I.
Many Islanders feel a deep connection with their land and have made thoughtful decisions to keep it in its natural state. There are also many groups throughout the Island that have put in countless hours improving and protecting natural areas.
Nominations for the MacLean Award should be written and as detailed as possible to allow
Island Nature Trust’s awards committee to make a fully informed selection.
Nominations should include brief biographies of the nominee as well as a clear outline of the work done to protect or manage natural area(s).
Guidelines for nominations and a full list of past recipients is available from Island Nature Trust. The final deadline for submissions is Friday, Aug. 24.
For more information, contact Island Nature Trust at P.O. Box 265, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 7K4, check islandnaturetrust.ca, drop in to the Trust office at Ravenwood House, Building 15 on the Agriculture Canada Research Station off Mt. Edward Road or email your request to admin@ islandnaturetrust.ca.
“Our organization grew out of a grassroots movement to become the first land trust on the Island,” said Judi Allen, president of Island Nature Trust’s board of directors. “Every year, we want to recognize others who also strive for outstanding Island conservation successes.”
The MacLean Award will be presented to the winner at Island Nature Trust’s annual meeting this fall.