RIM has opened a new technical support operations center in Halifax yesterday. Premier Rodney MacDonald, federal cabinet minister Peter MacKay and company co-CEO Jim Balsillie attended the ribbon-cutting. The new technical support center is expected to create 1,200 jobs over five years at its Halifax operation. Salaries are expected to be $45,000 to $48,000, plus benefits.
“I love it when a plan comes together and this plan has definitely come together,” said Jim Balsillie, RIM’s co-CEO.
The province is offering $19 million in subsidies, including $14 million in payroll rebates and $5 million for training and recruitment.
Mr. Balsillie said the government programs were included in the decision-making process but did not necessarily clinch the deal.
“You make decisions on an integrated basis with all the factors,” he said.
Mr. Balsillie said Halifax “is a strategic part of where we are going.”
“It is a great location for us with very highly skilled people and very good educational environmental and institutional infrastructure to support what we are doing.”
The province’s strong post-secondary research environment and talented information technology workforce also provide an excellent recruitment base.
“The Halifax technical operations centre will play a key role in RIM’s strategy of delivering world-class support to our rapidly growing list of customers,” he said.
