News Release Index

News Release

For immediate releases Febuary 9, 2001

EDS TO OPEN CUSTOMER INTERACTION CENTRE IN PORT HAWKESBURY

PORT HAWKESBURY, N.S. -- The Strait Area is about to get a major call centre. EDS Canada confirmed today that the company will establish a large state-of-the-art facility in Port Hawkesbury before the end of the year, creating between 400 and 450 jobs within five years. The economic impact to the Strait Region is projected to be about $40 million in payroll over that period.

This is the second centre to be established by EDS in the region in less than a year. Its Sydney operation has been open for just six months and has already created 700 jobs for Cape Bretoners. The Sydney centre expects to reach its target of 900 employees this year, four years ahead of schedule. This will result in more than $18 million in annual payroll to the Sydney area.

"It makes good business sense to grow our company on Cape Breton Island," says Sheelagh Whittaker, President and CEO of EDS Canada, Inc. "Our expansion to the Strait Region is an indication of the quality and talent of the labour force we have found here. Our customers rely on EDS for rapid and responsive support, and we have significantly exceeded their business objectives, thanks to the dedication and talent of our workforce in our Sydney offices."

"The glue of the digital economy is service. Hardware and software are meaningless without services, and EDS Canada expects this facility to provide our customers with the glue to bind their business models with the marketplace in ways never seen before," said Ms. Whittaker.

Both levels of government played a role in the establishment of the new facility that will bring between 400 and 450 new knowledge-economy jobs to the Strait of Canso area. The total estimated cost of the project is $60 million. The Cape Breton Growth Fund will make a $2.5 million contribution, with an additional $2 million contribution from Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation. Both contributions are in the form of conditional grants that will not have to be repaid if job targets are met and maintained for five years.

Human Resources Development Canada is also pleased to see this project take place in the Port Hawkesbury area, as it will help to stimulate economic growth in the community. HRDC is also exploring opportunities with EDS to support this new venture.

The Province of Nova Scotia's involvement is in the form of a payroll rebate, calculated on the amount of payroll taxes generated by the company. By reaching its full employment targets, EDS is eligible to receive up to $4.5 million in payroll rebates over five years. The remaining funds for the project will be sourced privately by EDS.

"This is exciting news for the Strait Area and the Government of Canada is pleased to take part in a project that is bringing a major information technology service provider to this community," said Robert Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, who announced the Government of Canada funding. "The project will provide opportunities to a highly skilled workforce that is committed to the area and is seeking long-term sustainable employment."

Nova Scotia Tourism Minister Rodney MacDonald speaking on behalf of Economic Development Minister Gordon Balser said that government is pleased to assist a project that supports its economic growth strategy, particularly when it is championed by a company with a proven track record in the region. "Our innovative agreement with EDS will bring more opportunity to the people of Port Hawkesbury and the Strait Area, and Cape Breton Island in general," he says. "These are good jobs that will help to diversify and grow the local economy. This strengthens regional capacity and provides Nova Scotians with the experience and skill sets demanded by the new economy."

The centre, which is to be operational this summer, will support EDS clients throughout North America. The bulk of its activity will be handling inbound customer service inquiries by telephone, fax, e-mail and Internet. EDS Canada selected Port Hawkesbury due to the availability of a large, stable, well-educated work force and a world-class digital telecommunications infrastructure.

EDS Canada is the country's leading global services company, providing strategy, implementation and hosting for clients managing the business and technology complexities of the digital economy. The company's 8,300 Canadian professionals bring together the world's best technologies to address critical business needs. EDS services the world's leading companies and governments in 55 countries through its four lines of business: A.T. Kearney, Business Process Management, E-solutions and Information Solutions. The company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: EDS) and the London Stock Exchange.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA's programs in Cape Breton and the Mulgrave area. The Cape Breton Growth Fund is the federal and provincial funding made available to help communities adjust to the downsizing of the coal industry on Cape Breton Island.

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For Further Information Contact:

James Toccacelli
EDS Canada Inc.
Tel: (416) 814-4637

Jim Paris
EDS Sydney Centre
Tel: (902) 563-4658

D.A. Landry, ECBC
Tel: (902) 564-3617
Fax:(902) 564-3825

Mary Anna Jollymore
N.S. Economic Development
jollymmt@gov.ns.ca
Tel: (902) 424-4998
Fax: (902) 424-7008


Last Update: 2001-11-23		Important Notices