The Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I. and the Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce have come out in support of the controversial provincial nominee program.

'Immigrant attraction, retention and investment is a boost to our economy.' — Douglas Coles, Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce

The program allowed wealthy potential immigrants to put up $200,000 for investment in the province and come to Canada pending health and security checks. Over the last week controversy over how the money was invested and the involvement of companies owned by government MLAs has grown.

Two key business groups in the province announced their support for the program Friday.

"The provincial nominee program has been a source of badly needed investment funds for many eligible tourism operators," TIAPEI president Adam Doiron in a news release.

"The last few years have been very challenging for tourism operators in P.E.I. With global economic pressures, tourism, P.E.I.'s largest employment generator, has been struggling. If not for programs like the provincial PNP I am sure that some operators would have had to vacate the industry."

Chamber of commerce president Douglas Coles echoed that sentiment.

"In the short term, when a new family arrives they do make a great economic impact, with the purchase of housing, transportation and other necessities," Coles said in a news release.

"Many also make welcome investment into small business and often they start their own business.... Immigrant attraction, retention and investment is a boost to our economy and we are going to need more of it if we hope to remain competitive."

With the end of the program in early September, both groups said there is a need for further strategies to attract and retain immigrants.