Picton motel transformed into $1.25 million innovation centre

The new PEC Innovation Centre officially opened Monday, Nov. 14.

The transformation of a Picton motel into a $1.25 million business centre was made complete, Monday, with the official opening of the Prince Edward County Innovation Centre.
The centre, located on Bridge Street, was the former site of The Fireside Inn and Tip of the Bay Motel and now shares its space with the new PEC Family Health Team services.

Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament for Prince Edward–Hastings, noted a $150,000 investment from the Government of Canada’s Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP).

“The Prince Edward County Innovation Centre is strengthening the local economy by creating good jobs and also generating the interest of businesses wanting to locate here,” Kramp said.

“I have made many investments in PEC but the new PEC Innovation Centre has the greatest potential to dramatically impact the prosperity of our community,” said Conrad Guziewicz, developer of the facility. “The jobs and investment that we have seen in the first six months of operation have been incredible and we have several more investments that will be announced in the coming weeks. None of this would have been possible without my partnership with PELA CFDC and the Government of Canada.”

The 15,000 sq. ft., 24 suite, tech-sector focused business acceleration facility brings together private and public sector financing, mentorship, post-secondary educational institutions, and business advisory services. The facility currently has seven residents that employ 25 people with science, technology, engineering and mathematics backgrounds.
The tech firms include:
UCourse Pack. Inc- delivering a tablet-based app that transforms traditional college & university course material into a dynamic digital learning environment.

Tec-Garde Mobile Solutions Ltd- building a tablet-based enterprise peripheral that will assist POS retail and data capture and analysis for service personnel.

IDC Software Inc. – Innovative Smartphone and tablet computer software development firm current working on healthcare applications.

Dealer Plus Inc. – building web-enabled productivity and marketing tools for car dealerships.

Cibo Systems Ltd. – tablet-based restaurant management system that uses mobile technology to increase efficiency and customer convenience.

Envirolytics Ltd. – Smartphone app tool that assists customers in completing home energy audits and provides green product education.

Harvistor LLP. – Next generation wind power design and manufacture using a “derrieus” turbo blade system.