MONTAGUE — A couple of local boys have decided to become the first of a host of entrepreneurs to develop products at the new Montague Business Development Centre.
“They’ve done extremely well and it’s great to see them set up near home,’’ says proud father Keith Myers about son Ron, who is one of the founders of Thinking Big Inc.
It’s a full service technology company founded by Myers, Luke Rooney of Iona, and Chris Weeks of Charlottetown, and in five years has grown to over 30 employees.
“We’re delighted to be here and set up shop where we can access a lot of smart people in eastern P.E.I. who don’t want to have to drive to Charlottetown every day,’’ Myers said during the official opening of the Main Street operation.
The business centre is the former Somers building which used to be a shoe store, realty office and home to Holland College. It’s right in the heart of the town and underwent a major retrofit with about $600,000 in financing, half in the form of a loan from Finance P.E.I.
The centre has been a pet project of Innovation Minister Allen Roach for more than a year and the new facility offers space for more new businesses.
“This is an excellent opportunity for well-trained people who want to pursue careers away from major urban communities,’’ he said.
Roach said the business centre is designed to open doors for youth who have good solid business ideas and can develop them on home turf.
“It’s perfect for me because I wanted to be part of the Montague business network and work and develop ideas with others,’’ said Laura Jane Koers.
The 32-year-old runs Rawtarian with her husband and moved from Vancouver Island to buy a home on the Whim Road.
“We just wanted a smaller place where we could get to know people and become part of a community,” she said.
Myers already has 30 employees working in a Charlottetown location.
“This is something I’ve always wanted to see here,’’ said Scott Bell, chair of the Community Welfare League that will own and lease the building. “This is a welcome mat for new and young business to stay home and do it right here.”
There’s room for up to five start up sized companies as well as one major tenant — Thinking Big — on the second floor.
“We see a strategic growth opportunity for both Thinking Big and the town of Montague,’’ said Chris Weeks of Charlottetown, who is another founder.
MONTAGUE — A couple of local boys have decided to become the first of a host of entrepreneurs to develop products at the new Montague Business Development Centre.
“They’ve done extremely well and it’s great to see them set up near home,’’ says proud father Keith Myers about son Ron, who is one of the founders of Thinking Big Inc.
It’s a full service technology company founded by Myers, Luke Rooney of Iona, and Chris Weeks of Charlottetown, and in five years has grown to over 30 employees.
“We’re delighted to be here and set up shop where we can access a lot of smart people in eastern P.E.I. who don’t want to have to drive to Charlottetown every day,’’ Myers said during the official opening of the Main Street operation.
The business centre is the former Somers building which used to be a shoe store, realty office and home to Holland College. It’s right in the heart of the town and underwent a major retrofit with about $600,000 in financing, half in the form of a loan from Finance P.E.I.
The centre has been a pet project of Innovation Minister Allen Roach for more than a year and the new facility offers space for more new businesses.
“This is an excellent opportunity for well-trained people who want to pursue careers away from major urban communities,’’ he said.
Roach said the business centre is designed to open doors for youth who have good solid business ideas and can develop them on home turf.
“It’s perfect for me because I wanted to be part of the Montague business network and work and develop ideas with others,’’ said Laura Jane Koers.
The 32-year-old runs Rawtarian with her husband and moved from Vancouver Island to buy a home on the Whim Road.
“We just wanted a smaller place where we could get to know people and become part of a community,” she said.
Myers already has 30 employees working in a Charlottetown location.
“This is something I’ve always wanted to see here,’’ said Scott Bell, chair of the Community Welfare League that will own and lease the building. “This is a welcome mat for new and young business to stay home and do it right here.”
There’s room for up to five start up sized companies as well as one major tenant — Thinking Big — on the second floor.
“We see a strategic growth opportunity for both Thinking Big and the town of Montague,’’ said Chris Weeks of Charlottetown, who is another founder.
