The exceptional natural advantages of the Port of Gaspé are internationally recognised. It is particularly close to European and American ports, and ships often stop in here as they make their way from the Atlantic to the Great Lakes. Easily accessible, it provides exceptional shelter. Gaspé harbour and its port at Sandy Beach are located inside a magnificent bay: the entrance canal is at least 500 metres wide with a constant depth of 20 metres.
- The port boasts a vast expanse of deep water.
- Planes can land at the airport 7 days a week. Car rental is available at all times.
- The rail line connecting the Gaspé Peninsula to the Halifax-Vancouver line ends in downtown Gaspé.
- Passenger, parcel delivery, and messenger service is available by bus to major urban centres via national Highway 132.
- A number of entrepreneurs and independent truckers ship merchandise
In the MRC La Côte-de-Gaspé, there are at least four industrial zones and two industrial parks that have nearly identical vocations.
The York industrial park (Parc des Augustines) is located 3 kilometres from Gaspé airport and 7 kilometres from the port at Sandy Beach. This park's main sectors of activity include wholesale distributing, light industry and manufacturing.
Although its main activities are fisheries-related, the industrial park in Rivière-au-Renard, the national fisheries capital, accepts businesses involved in any industrial sector.
The rental rate per square metre for industrial space is more advantageous in the MRC La Côte-de-Gaspé than in major urban centres. In Gaspé's industrial parks and zones, lots are available at highly competitive prices (10 cents per square metre). Hurry while there are still a few locations available.
These past few years, the MRC has focused on a number of innovation-based initiatives to ensure the sustainable development of its economy. Through these initiatives, resources have been put in place to support research, development and technology transfer in its sectors of excellence.
The abundance and bilingual nature of the workforce is another distinctive advantage
A number of initiatives have been taken in recent years to attract young graduates. Of particular note are the Youth Portal (www.portailjeunesse.ca), which has built an impressive bank of young graduates who wish to work and live in the community, and the Gaspé Peninsula – The Islands Community Foundation, which offers interesting financial incentives.
Also noteworthy is the presence in the MRC of educational institutions offering employers specialised and made-to-measure training. Institutions such as the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles, the Groupe Collégia, the Université du Québec and the Commission scolaire des Chic-Chocs provide up-to-date training adapted to meet the needs of employers.
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