APM to develop major call centre for hi-tech giant

Port Hawkesbury, NS -- APM, a PEI based development firm, has been awarded a project to develop a state of the art call centre in Port Hawkesbury, NS for EDS Canada. Planning, facility design and project management for the facility has been provided by Handegord Design Consultants of Toronto. Final approval of the project was given at a Port Hawkesbury City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 24, 2001.

"Mayor MacLean and his council were very cooperative. They recognize the economic opportunities that this kind of development brings," said Tim Banks, President of APM. "Obtaining the necessary permits and approvals was a relatively smooth process. Now, its all systems go on the construction."

The total project is estimated to be worth over $20 million. Once completed, 400 to 450 new Knowledge Economy jobs will be created over 5 years. The economic impact to the Port Hawkesbury area is projected to be about $40 million in payroll over this period.

"This is a major project for the Canso Strait area," said Banks. "APM is always happy to be a part of substantial development in Atlantic Canada and we are very pleased to be working with companies of the calibre and stature of EDS and Handegord Design."

The centre will be located on a 13-acre lot in the centre of Port Hawkesbury's business district. EDS will lease the property and building from APM on a ten-year basis. At over 50,000 square feet of floor space, the centre will feature sophisticated infrastructure and state of the art design as required for the highly specialized operations of EDS.

"We will be publicly tendering components of the project and we are looking for local contractors and sub-trades to build the facility. This was a strong component of our success with EDS as they wanted us to use local labour," said Banks.

APM is a vertically integrated development company offering design, project management, construction, building supplies, store fixtures, ornamental metals, signage, retail decor and property leasing throughout Canada.

The call centre is scheduled to begin operating in September, 2001.

For more information please contact Tim Banks at 902.569.4000.