The GUARDIAN
July 29, 2005

Charlottetown will bid for APM office

The City of Charlottetown will bid against at least two other Island towns for Atlantic Property Management's head office.

The city has decided to pursue the company despite APM's recent cancellation of plans to build the new office in Charlottetown.
The city re-zoned land across from the new Sears store after APM president Tim Banks wrote that the company planned to move its headquarters, along with 50 jobs, to West Royalty.

APM later reversed that decision and is now asking all Island communities to bid for the privilege of becoming home to its head office.

Mayor Clifford Lee says the city has no hard feelings over the change of heart.

"APM is a private company, [has] made other decisions obviously since that time and they have every right to do so," he said.
"I'm not going to publicly question what business decisions they're making or not making."

Lee says the city has never been asked to compete for business this way before, but will nonetheless make a competitive bid.
"I see no reason why the City of Charlottetown wouldn't have a good chance of winning," he said.

"I think if you look at the overall picture – the quality of life, the business community in Charlottetown – I think we would have a good chance of winning."

Cornwall and Stratford will also put in bids for the APM office.