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Centre to increase accessibility to professional and business resources for rural Island women in the central Queens to west Prince regions

The PEI Business Women’s Association’s new Rural Women’s Business Centre, located in Central Bedeque, is officially open.

The Centre held its Grand Opening on November 12, 2019, welcoming partner organizations and members to tour the redeveloped space in the Wm Callbeck Centre. The Centre, which will complement the programs and services currently run out of the organization’s office in Charlottetown, will predominantly serve women in the central Queens to west Prince regions.

“As the only business women’s association in the province with an Island-wide mandate, we look forward to further extending our programs and services. The Centre will be a place for women to find the support and inspiration they need to succeed in their business endeavours, whether they’re start-up entrepreneurs, established business owners, mid-career business professionals or students. We look forward to welcoming women into the Centre and supporting them in achieving entrepreneurial and professional success,” says Margaret Magner, Executive Director, PEI Women’s Business Association.

The Centre’s programs and services are being designed to respond to the business and professional needs of rural women in PEI, at every stage of their career and business. As such, an advisory group of women from central Queens to west Prince Counties is helping to guide the development of the Centre and the services offered, including: a bright and comfortable co-working space; training sessions and workshops; inspiring guest speakers; networking events; business advising and assistance; and access to technology to participate in PEI and regional events remotely from the Centre.

The Government of Canada has contributed funding for the Centre through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program, with additional funding from the Government of Prince Edward Island.

La PEI Business Women's Association inaugure le Centre d'affaires pour femmes rurales à Central Bedeque

Le centre facilitera l'accessibilité aux ressources professionnelles et commerciales pour les femmes des régions rurales de l'Île, de Queens central à Prince-Ouest

Le nouveau Centre d'affaires des femmes rurales de la PEI Business Women's Association, situé à Central Bedeque, est officiellement ouvert.

Le Centre a tenu son ouverture officielle le 12 novembre 2019, accueillant ses organismes partenaires et ses membres pour une visite des locaux réaménagés du Centre Wm Callbeck. Le Centre, qui complémentera les programmes et services actuellement offerts par le bureau de l'organisme à Charlottetown, desservira principalement les femmes des régions de Queens Central et Prince-Ouest.

« En tant que seule association de femmes d'affaires de la province ayant un mandat à l'échelle de l'Île, nous avons hâte d'élargir davantage nos programmes et services. Le Centre sera un endroit où les femmes pourront trouver le soutien et l'inspiration dont elles ont besoin pour réussir dans leurs projets d’affaires, qu'elles soient des entrepreneurs en démarrage, des propriétaires d'entreprise établis, des professionnelles en milieu de carrière ou des étudiantes. Nous avons hâte d'accueillir les femmes au Centre et de les aider à réussir sur le plan entrepreneurial et professionnel, » affirme Margaret Magner, directrice générale de la PEI Women's Business Association.

Les programmes et services du Centre sont conçus pour répondre aux besoins commerciaux et professionnels des femmes rurales de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard, à toutes les étapes de leur carrière et de leur entreprise. Ainsi, un comité consultatif de femmes des régions de Central Queens et de Prince-Ouest aide à orienter le développement du Centre et des services offerts, y compris : un espace de travail conjoint lumineux et confortable ; des séances de formation et des ateliers ; des conférenciers invités inspirants ; des activités de réseautage ; des conseils et appuis d’affaires; et un accès à la technologie pour participer aux activités régionales et de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard à distance à partir du Centre.

Le gouvernement du Canada a contribué au financement du Centre dans le cadre du programme Croissance économique régionale par l'innovation de l'Agence de promotion économique du Canada atlantique, avec un financement supplémentaire du gouvernement de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard.

The PEI Business Women’s Association (PEIBWA) is pleased to announce that it has received a multi-year commitment of $485,000 under the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES), for their contribution to The Atlantic Canadian Women in Business Growth Partnership.

"The PEI Business Women's Association is thrilled to partner with the Centre for Women in Business, the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs, and the New Brunswick Association of CBDC's Women in Business Initiative through this multi-year initiative funded by a generous Women Entrepreneurship Strategy investment," says Margaret Magner, PEIBWA Executive Director. "Together, we will share best practices and develop new programs to ensure women entrepreneurs across Atlantic Canada can launch and grow their businesses, and women in the trades, technology and STEM fields, as well as Indigenous women, newcomers, women with disabilities and women in rural areas, have the support, training and mentorship they need to succeed."

In Atlantic Canada, fewer than one in six small and medium-sized enterprises (15%) are majority-owned by women. The WES funding announcement builds on PEIBWA’s recent announcement of funding from both the Government of Canada and the PEI Provincial Government for a new Rural Women’s Business Centre. Together, these initiatives will provide new resources and supports for women business owners and professionals across PEI, so they are able to succeed in their business and career endeavors.

"Two weeks ago, we were pleased to announce federal and provincial funding to establish the Rural Women's Business Centre in Central Bedeque to help serve the needs of PEI's rural business entrepreneurs and professionals," says Miriam Vializ Briggs, PEIBWA President. "With today's Women Entrepreneurship Strategy funding, we will be able to broaden and strengthen our partnerships across Atlantic Canada and promote innovative business resources developed in our province. It's a great day for the business women of PEI and for PEIBWA!"

About PEIBWA

The PEI Business Women’s Association (PEIBWA) is a member-based not-for-profit organization with a mandate to educate, empower and inspire PEI women to succeed in their business endeavours. Incorporated in 1993, it is the only women’s business association with an Island-wide mandate in the province and has a membership of over 450 women entrepreneurs and business professionals. PEIBWA provides advisory services, training, opportunities for development, and connections with other women in business. www.peibwa.org

Media contact:
Sparrow McGowan
Events & Communications Officer
sparrow@peibwa.org
902-892-6040