TORONTO, (Mar. 31, 2005) — Trucking and warehousing firm Clarke Inc. has relocated its national head office from Concord, Ont. near Toronto to Halifax, N.S.

President & CEO of Clarke, George Armoyan, made the official announcement alongside Economic Development Minister, Ernest Fage and President & CEO of Nova Scotia Business Inc., Stephen Lund.

Lund of NSBI announced that they will be providing Clarke with a total $1.9-million payroll rebate, payable over 5 years, based on performance targets for positions at Clarke’s new national headquarters.

The rebate, according to a press release, is a performance-based incentive that supports the hiring of up to 95 employees working full time and earning an average annual wage including benefits and statutory contributions in excess of $83,000. The rebate begins in the second year of operations and will be paid annually in arrears over a five-year period.

Clarke has already begun the process of transferring its offices from Toronto to Halifax.

Armoyan says that by locating the head office in Nova Scotia, the company is getting an “ideal location as not only does it offer the lifestyle and talent pool we seek but has an excellent infrastructure base and cost- effective business climate”.

“Clarke’s relocation to Halifax is proof that the business case for operating from Nova Scotia is starting to get noticed in investment circles as an attractive alternative,” Lund added.