Federal government to fund 12,000-square-foot PPE warehouse in P.E.I.

P.E.I. is getting a new warehouse that will in part ensure the province is better prepared for the next pandemic.

The 12,000-square-foot, climate-controlled warehouse will serve as a storage space for Health PEI's pandemic readiness supplies. That will include personal protective equipment such as gloves, gowns and masks, as well as wipes, sanitizers, syringes and bedding.

"[This will] help P.E.I. co-ordinate timely and effective pandemic responses now and in the future," said federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna in a news release.

"By building now, we're supporting the local economy and creating good jobs at a time when we need it most."

Some of the space will be used by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure for office furnishings. It will also store supplies for disaster preparation.

The federal government is contributing $2.4 million or 80 per cent of the cost of the projectwhile the province is giving $600,000.

It will be at the province's Brackley transportation depot site, north of Charlottetown.

More from CBC P.E.I.