SURREY BOARD OF TRADE

FURTHERING THE INTERESTS OF BUSINESSES SINCE 1918 Surrey Board of Trade SURREY RELOCATION GUIDE: Doing Business in Surrey

Surrey Board of Trade supports and attracts companies by:

■ Providing data on all aspects of local ■ Connecting universities and colleges that infrastructure including highway and air offer customized training programs for new connections, human capital and commercial workers to match industry needs to curriculum real estate. development. ■ Identifying real estate options including ■ Providing information and facilitating contacts office space for new building construction in with federal, provincial & local authorities. collaboration with local real estate firms. Exploring financial incentive programs and ■ Business match-making. venture capital programs. ■ Developing contacts with foreign-owned ■ Conducting city tours. companies.

businessinsurrey.com SURREY BOARD OF TRADE Overview Surrey’s business landscape, growth opportunities and why it’s a prime location for businesses

urrey is known for being one thing: WHERE SURREY STANDS WITHIN METRO VANCOUVER a powerful, Population by each municipality in Metro Vancouver (2011 v. 2015) progressive economic engine of Metro Vancouver in which to do business and invest. SIt could be the largest city in in the next 20 years. Surrey’s population, which currently sits at almost 520,000, is projected to increase by an additional 250,000 people in the next 30 years. By 2041, one in five Metro Vancouver residents will live in Surrey. It has the highest median family income, it is centrally located between the commercial hub of Vancouver and the U.S. border (in fact, Surrey is a U.S. border city) and it is close to two international

airports. STATS BC SOURCE: Surrey fosters a positive business environment and helps that fund community services and infrastructure. McQuarrie Hunter, Citizenship & Immigration companies succeed—and as a result, over Surrey’s target ratio for property tax revenues is Canada and Fraser Health. 16,000 businesses thrive here, from one-person 60 per cent from residential and 40 per cent from But the best aspect of Surrey as a place to independent firms to multi-national conglomerates. business; currently, the ratio is 70 per cent from do business is that its growth continues at a All the elements necessary for success have residential and 30 per cent from business. remarkable rate. For example, in each of the past been carefully nurtured over the years, from five years, development has exceeded $1 billion, pro-business government initiatives that have Growth – Construction & and nine million square feet of commercial and helped earn Surrey the mantle of being the best Development – Office Space industrial floor space was added during that time place in British Columbia to invest (according (in the same period there were almost 20,000 to the Real Estate Investment Network), to the There’s more. Surrey’s large geographical size housing starts). infrastructure, amenities and lifestyle benefits that (316.4 square kilometres) has led to the Moreover, Surrey’s town centres and have resulted in the influx of 800 to 1,000 new development of one of the largest industrial surrounding areas will see a population increase residents monthly. centres within B.C.: altogether there are eight of over 300,000 people in the next three decades— industrial parks within the city boundaries. Surrey and with new residents and new investment Balanced Tax Base has approximately one third of Metro Vancouver’s comes almost unlimited new opportunities for undeveloped industrial land inventory. more businesses to thrive. Many other factors explain Surrey’s status as Not surprisingly, an increasing number of a business mecca: it has the lowest property head and regional offices are moving to Surrey’s taxes and the second-lowest business taxes in business parks and its new 600-hectare City START OR GROW YOUR BUSINESS IN SURREY Metro Vancouver. Businesses make a significant Centre (the sparkling downtown core that has Surrey Board of Trade Business & International contribution to the City of Surrey by paying taxes earned national media attention), including PwC, Centre Trade Documentation | businessinsurrey.com

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office and a health technology commercialization Why Choose Surrey centre. PORT KELLS: Located at the northeastern end adjacent to the , this town centre has for Your Business? many industrial properties. : Development has created new Surrey is a city of vibrant communities shopping opportunities in close proximity to new residential neighbourhoods. South Surrey also offers convenient connections to the United States through the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway border crossings.

Utilities – Energy –Environment SOURCE: CITY OF SURREY CITYSOURCE: OF All areas of Surrey are constantly being improved and refined, under strict environmental guidelines biomass and other green sources to supply based utilities such as FortisBC, which recently set forth by Surrey planners. For example, high-density buildings in City Centre with heat partnered with Surrey’s biofuel facility that will Surrey City Energy is a city-owned district energy and hot water. Green values govern all of the turn the city’s organic waste into renewable utility that uses organic waste, geoexchange, city’s initiatives and are supported by locally natural gas.

Partners in the development of a vibrant, sustainable (clockwise from left) Campbell Heights and complete Business Park; community. The Bell Centre for Performing Arts; If we can help you become part of Newton Athletic Park the next great city centre, please give us a call.

urrey is a business hub as CLOVERDALE: Home to the Surrey Museum and as the most ethnically diverse population. It is well as a great place to unique heritage buildings, Cloverdale is a sought home to a variety of educational, recreational live. Whether it’s the urban after location for filming. and cultural facilities, including The Bell Centre environment, new City Centre for Performing Arts, Newton Cultural Centre and or cultural ambiance, the city FLEETWOOD: Fleetwood offers a bracing Kwantlen Polytechnic University. is attracting businesses and mix of farming heritage and retail, commercial and families alike. The vibrant multi-family residential developments. NORTH SURREY/CITY CENTRE: Simply put, communities located within Surrey’s 316.4 square this is the new downtown of Surrey, an outstanding Skilometres are: GUILDFORD: This neighbourhood is renowned for achievement of planning and development, its retail corridors along 104 Avenue and 152 Street, building Surrey’s financial district that headquarters CAMPBELL HEIGHTS: Campbell Heights Business and local businesses have good access to the both Coast Capital Savings and Westminster Park covers a total of 1,900 acres. Surrey expects freeway and are also well positioned in relation to Savings. Significant residential and commercial Surrey City Development Corporation significant job growth in this high-end business Surrey City Centre. development in the immediate area has flourished. 1870 -13450 102 Avenue park; projections estimate employment will Surrey’s downtown is home to a growing hospital Surrey, BC V3T 5X3 increase by almost 300 per cent to approximately NEWTON: Newton has the largest population of campus with one of the busiest emergency rooms 604 581 8787 20,500 over the next 30 years. all of Surrey’s town centres (over 120,000), as well in Canada, the regional health authority corporate www.scdc.ca

4 Special Feature 5 MCQUARRIE HUNTER LLP The Business Case for Relocating to Surrey Tako J. van Popta, managing partner of McQuarrie Hunter LLP, on why relocating to Surrey is a smart business move

a dozen construction What about businesses with a cross- McQuarrie Hunter cranes putting up high-rise border presence, or those that cater to LLP managing buildings. The growth students and working professionals? Why partner Tako J. we’re seeing is amazing. is Surrey an ideal location for these types van Popta knows Surrey is growing at of companies? Surrey is a place an astonishing rate, Surrey is close to the U.S. border, which where businesses and that opens up is a distinct advantage for enterprises can thrive opportunities for with U.S. and Canadian business dealings, businesses with the or for those that wish to expand into right vision. Six years the American market. Simon Fraser ago, McQuarrie Hunter University also has a campus in the Central amalgamated its City Tower, and Kwantlen Polytechnic operations into one large University is coming to downtown law practice right here in Surrey—this is great news for businesses the Central City Tower. that cater to younger customers. There’s

KENT KALLBERG South of the Fraser is definitely a need for more restaurants and where we dominate, entertainment options for those who live, BEAUTIFUL hat’s the secret to building but we still compete with some of the work and study in the area. a business with happy larger legal practices based in employees and healthy downtown Vancouver. Let’s talk about personnel. What makes BRITISH COLUMBIA profits? A well-thought-out Surrey an attractive place for business strategy is vital and strong Surrey is known as a growing city professionals to live and work? CN IS PROUD TO SUPPORT YOUR CAUSES. IN 2016, WE DONATED CLOSE TO leadership is important, with a lower cost of doing business. Housing is more affordable in Surrey $1 MILLION TO OVER 75 ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS BRITISH COLUMBIA. but what about location? Beyond the associated cost efficiencies, than Vancouver, and it’s a great place Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce, Armstrong • Blueridge Community Association, North Vancouver • Fort Nelson Family Development Society, Tako J. van Popta of McQuarrie Hunter LLP, why is relocating to Surrey a smart for young families to put down roots. Fort Nelson • Hope Air, Vancouver • Simpcw First Nation, Barriere • North Shore Emergency Management, North Vancouver • Mountain Media, Kelowna • BC W a leading Surrey-based law firm, discusses business move? Assembly of First Nations, Kamloops • Chetwynd Communication Society, Chetwynd • Fort Nelson Hospital & Healthcare Foundation, Fort Nelson • Fort St. Surrey is also very accessible by car or John Hospital Foundation, Fort St. John • Gitsegukla Gidahmes Dance Group, Gitsegukla • Kamloops Art Gallery, Kamloops • Lillooet Naturalist Society, Lillooet why relocating to Surrey makes perfect There’s a shortage of commercial and public transit. Even if employees live in • North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Association, Barriere • Quesnel Billy Barker Days Society, Quesnel • Special Olympics British Columbia Society, Burnaby business sense. industrial land in the , Burnaby, New Westminster or Coquitlam, • Tumbler Ridge Museum Foundation, Tumbler Ridge • Western Transportation Advisory Council, Vancouver • Lytton First Nation, Lytton • North Central Local and that land is available in Surrey. they can just hop on the SkyTrain and Government Management Association, Prince George • Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce, Prince Rupert • Spences Bridge Community Club, Spences Bridge • Kamloops North Shore Business Improvement Area Association, Kamloops • Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Richmond • Visions After For the past three years, the Real Estate Transportation links are important too, head down to Surrey. Surrey is no longer School Program, Vancouver • West Coast Railway Association, Squamish • D.A.R.E. BC Society, Surr • Fort St. John Public Library, Fort St. John • Kamloops Investment Network has named Surrey and Surrey has a lot to offer on that front: just the “bedroom suburb” that supplies Chamber of Commerce, Kamloops • Kelowna Museums Society, Kelowna • Lions Bay Fire Rescue, Lions Bay • Lytton River Festival Society, Lytton • National the best place in British Columbia to Highway 1 and the Port Mann Bridge have Vancouver with employees. Surrey is on Aboriginal Energy & Power Association, Vancouver • Surrey Board of Trade, Surrey • The Dr. R.E.M. Lee Hospital Foundation, Terrace • World Baseball Challenge, invest. In your opinion, what’s driving this drastically improved over the past few a steady growth trajectory to becoming a Prince George • Siska Indian Band, Lytton • Bright New Day Reconciliation Circles, North Vancouver • Abbotsford 2016 BC Summer Games, Abbotsford • District of Port Edward, Port Edward • Hudsons Hope School Parent Advisory Council, Hudson’s Hope • Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association, demand? years, and commercial transportation twin city of Vancouver. Kamloops • North Peace Economic Development Commission, Fort St. John • Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance, Penticton • Skeetchestn Indian There’s an enormous influx of people flows freely to and from Surrey by truck, Band, Savona • Surrey Crime Prevention Society, Surrey • Thompson Nicola Cariboo United Way, Kamloops • University of Northern British Columbia, Prince heading east right now. The city of Surrey rail or sea. Surrey isn’t afraid to service that McQuarrie Hunter LLP is a multi-practice, Surrey-based law George • Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, Vancouver • Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Vancouver • Vancouver welcomes roughly 1,000 new residents part of our economy. Surrey City Hall is firm that serves the needs of businesses, individuals and International Children’s Festival Society, Vancouver • Neptune Bulk Terminals (Canada) on behalf of North Shore Waterfront institutions in the Lower Mainland and throughout B.C. each month. The biggest single factor is Terminals, North Vancouver • Burnaby Board of Trade, Burnaby • Rogers Santa Claus Parade, Vancouver • North Vancouver very pro-business and pro-development; McQuarrie Hunter LLP Chamber of Commerce, North Vancouver • Healthy Choice Investigators, Terrace • Tkemlups te Secwepemc (formerly the the availability of land in Surrey compared they want to build a great city, and that 15th Floor, Central City Tower, Suite 1500 Kamloops Indian Band), Kamloops • 2017 TELUS Cup, Prince George • Sarah McLachlan Foundation, Vancouver • United to other areas of Greater Vancouver. From bodes well for businesses that wish to 13450 102nd Avenue, Surrey, BC V3T 5X3 Way Thompson Nicola Cariboo, Kamloops • Canada Place Corporation (a division of Port Metro Vancouver), Vancouver 604.581.7001 | mcquarrie.com • Village of Pemberton, Pemberton • Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific, Victoria • United Way of the Lower Mainland, my office window, I can see at least half relocate here. Burnaby • CN Centre, Prince George www.cn.ca SPONSORED CONTENT

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3530, boulevard Saint-Laurent, bureau 400, Montréal (Québec) H2X 2V1 t 514 844-2624 tc 514 844-5041 SURREY BOARD OF TRADE CONCORD PACIFIC Industry Sectors Park Boulevard Lights

n Surrey, quality is as important HEALTH CLEAN AGRI as quantity Up Surrey’s Skyline TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION when it comes to expanding Concord’s latest development poised to its business landscape; so while become a city centre landmark the volume of its business Iportfolio is massive, sun set over downtown Vancouver or the TARGET INDUSTRY SECTORS industry diversity informs A thriving city centre is one sun rise over Mount Baker. Surrey’s economy. of the reasons why new Park Boulevard was designed to make This is why today developments like Park access to outdoor and community space a Surrey is respected as Boulevard are eager to call seamless transition. Each unit has a balcony, much for its high-tech Surrey home and the large piazza at the core of the ADVANCED CREATIVE sectors as its agricultural community features green space right out industries, and is as MANUFACTURING ECONOMY the door, as well as coffee shops, restaurants famous for its clean and other services. Surrey’s Central City energy and advanced Shopping Centre is right across King George manufacturing as its Boulevard, and Coast Capital’s brand new world-class film and television production. Ten per suppliers of raw materials, goods and services in It focuses on three areas: medical devices, retail space will be opening nearby soon. cent of B.C.’s clean tech sector is located in Surrey, the ecosystem for local manufacturing companies. independent living and digital health. Park Boulevard residents enjoy access and Simon Fraser University is home to world- Surrey’s focus on cultivating a clean energy Surrey’s agricultural sector strengths include to all the amenities: an indoor pool, sports leading fuel cells and advanced materials. Foresight industry has already proven effective: it is home the BioPod Initiative, which is an advanced BioPod lounge, meeting rooms, badminton court, Cleantech Accelerator Centre, Powertech Labs, to green companies such as Wellons Canada, Research and Demonstration Greenhouse providing gym—and even a bowling alley. This master- COURTESY OF CONCORD PACIFIC SFU Fuel Cell Research Lab, ECONewton and other which provides biomass-fired green thermal energy testing space for new agricultural technologies. One planned community is designed to be more leading companies are located in Surrey. systems. Surrey is home to multinational and small third of Surrey’s land base is within the Agricultural t’s “a modern, urban downtown take in summertime theatre in the park or than just a place to live. It’s a place to work, Key among these enterprises is the advanced businesses, including Philips Healthcare, Starfish Land Reserve, providing significant opportunities. core unfolding before our very eyes.” head to world-renowned festivals, all within play and build a family. With one- to three- manufacturing sector: nearly 24,000 of Surrey’s Medical, Conquer Mobile, Biomark Diagnostics, Building a creative and cultural economy: A built That’s how Grant Murray, senior walking distance of their new home. bedroom suites available, there are plenty labour force work here; and the manufacturing Cabian and Target Tape. collaboration between entrepreneurs and artists, vice-president of sales with Concord Surrey’s booming city centre already of options. sector is incredibly important in providing the city’s Meanwhile, Surrey’s Innovation Boulevard traditional arts, digital and interactive media, Pacific, describes the neighbourhood boasts an impressive collection of Park Boulevard has clearly been population with well-paid jobs. is an agile partnership of health, business, higher film, dance, theatre and more. Skydance Media, a where a brand-new residential tower, sophisticated civic and commercial designed with the future in mind. It’s Supply chain: Surrey has 8,000 commercial education and government, aimed at creating new California-based media company responsible for Park Boulevard, will be opening soon. architecture. The latest and brightest located in a true transit hotspot. “You never and industrial businesses that play a vital role as health technologies to improve peoples’ lives. recent films such asMission Impossible, chose IAnd he’s not talking about Vancouver addition will be Park Boulevard, Canada’s have trouble finding a seat,” quips Murray, Surrey as another home, adding a new film and or Toronto. This is Surrey, where the first interactive, illuminated residential who notes that it’s the southern terminus television production facility that houses five sound population has grown by over 100,000 tower. An artistic light display will sparkle of the SkyTrain, with a planned light rail stages and accommodates a production staff of up in the past 10 years, where job creation and shimmer up and down this 40-storey transit development that will soon connect to 400. is higher than anywhere in the Lower landmark when the Skytrain arrives the rest of the Fraser Valley. Concord Long-range planning is a hallmark of Surrey Mainland and where a diverse group of at King George Station—a celebration Pacific understands the importance of a governance, and on that score its Economic professionals, millennials and families are of the city’s prospering core and clean future: a minimum 50 per cent of Diversification Strategy (EDS) guides Surrey’s flocking en masse. vibrant culture. Mirroring another Park Boulevard’s parking stalls will be economy into its next phase by collaborating with People come for the walkable, transit- Concord Pacific Development with a similar equipped to power electric vehicles. businesses, universities, industry associations, friendly community—the development illumination concept, Principal Tower by “Surrey is one of the fastest growing governments and non-profits to identify and is conveniently next to the King George Foster + Partners in London, England, Park cities in Canada and a great place to invest cultivate opportunities in strategic areas. SkyTrain station—and the relatively Boulevard is poised to become a world- in if you’re looking to get on to the first rung By focusing on health and clean technology, inexpensive housing options. They stay for class development in its own right. “This is of the real estate ladder,” says Murray. advanced manufacturing, agri-innovation, different reasons, though: Park Boulevard a prestigious hallmark of the community,” As the lights twinkle up and down Park and creative technology, the EDS will create a gets its name from ample nearby green says Murray, who notes that the lighting Boulevard, residents will know they’re at prosperous and resilient economy that supports a spaces. Residents can picnic, cycle or jog is only visible from outside. Residents can the centre of downtown Surrey’s exciting healthy community for Surrey’s future. alongside Holland Park and Quibble Creek, relax in their homes, while watching the development.

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Innovation & Entrepreneurship One of Surrey’s Transportation & Logistics newest developments, 3 Civic Plaza is a premium Surrey can accurately be viewed as hotel and 52-storey Abbotsford International (small vehicles only) and the adjacent Pacific a place where innovation abounds, residential tower A cargo ship leaves Fraser Airport. Highway Crossing (commercial vehicles and small thanks to collaboration across Surrey Docks, which is a Fraser Surrey Docks, vehicles), both of which provide direct access to a wide range of constituencies, modern, multi-purpose a multi-purpose marine major highway transportation routes to and from including corporate leaders, start-up marine terminal terminal, is the largest the U.S. entrepreneurs, university leaders, facility of its kind on the Getting around Surrey itself without any faculty members, students, investors West Coast of North hassle is vital, considering the huge volume of and public officials. America. It maintains a business transactions that occur within city limits. Over the years, Surrey has become large fleet of modern mobile And on that score, infrastructure and service has recognized as a breeding ground in cargo-handling equipment, evolved so that virtually every destination is easily which academic research is developed with an on-site garage and accessible. The network of bus routes provided into commercial reality, and where maintenance facility as well by Coast Mountain Bus Company (whose fleet is business processes are constantly as direct rail connections to augmented by community shuttle routes, NightBus refined—as proven by companies the terminal by the Canadian and HandiDARTS) is comprehensive, while those such as FortisBC, Cannatronix National Railway, Canadian who prefer to avoid vehicular traffic altogether have Innovations Inc., Green Earth Biofuels Pacific Railway, Burlington four SkyTrain stations to choose from. and Micromatter Technologies (all hen it comes to Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) and Southern For motorists commuting to other locales, there past nominees for the Surrey Board of transportation, Surrey Rail of British Columbia. is the Trans-Canada Highway, Highway 99, Highway Trade’s Innovation Awards). can truly be called well- Surrey is close in proximity to international 91 and Highway 15. “It is Surrey’s innovative companies connected, boasting customers, being conveniently situated just 30 No matter the business need, Surrey has the that will meet the challenges of the ample distribution minutes from the Vancouver International Airport, transportation solution, and the city is addressing new economy, expanding opportunity channels via rail, 20 minutes from the Abbotsford International upcoming needs with various strategies, including a in this great city and improving Whighway, border crossings and the second- largest Airport and 15 minutes from Boundary Bay Airport. well-publicized plan for an at-grade light rail transit lives around the globe,” says Anita shipping port in North America; plus, it’s a quick As for border crossings, Surrey is home to two (LRT) originating from City Centre to connect to Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade. drive from the Vancouver International Airport and of the biggest in the province: Peace Arch Crossing numerous other town centres and the City of Langley. Education – SURREY EDUCATION SURREY AVERAGE & Research Highest Level of Education Completed in MEDIAN INCOMES city, offering courses in everything from business the city’s status as a desirable home for owners and Surrey Communities Total Family Income in Surrey Communities & Development – administration and web design to horticulture and renters alike. Human Capital healthcare. As the fastest growing city in Canada with the KPU Tech houses the Faculty of Trades and largest industrial land base in the region, Surrey is Livability Technology, which trains apprentices in related trades regarded by companies from all points of the such as building maintenance, industrial engines compass as their choice in which to do business. Surrey’s Public Safety Strategy is a living document and equipment parts, industrial warehousing, But that’s only part of the Surrey success story. that creates action plans to prevent and reduce millwrighting, welding, carpentry and electrical. crime, ensure safe places, build community capacity But innovation and entrepreneurship alone don’t and support vulnerable people—thanks to guarantee a thriving business climate: new talent is Affordability the input of city staff, community organizations and also a fundamental ingredient. One third of Surrey’s residents. This enhances Surrey’s livability. residents are under the age of 19,and higher learning Just as companies are drawn to Surrey for its good Capping all this are the retail, recreational and institutions like Simon Fraser University’s Surrey City tax rates, infrastructure and other incentives, the cultural amenities of Surrey’s neighbourhoods, Centre campus have evolved to ensure that they are people in these companies are drawn by the city’s combined with 2,300 hectares of park and well-prepared to seize the opportunities arising from affordability. Indeed, Surrey is widely viewed as a open space. From forest reserves to agricultural future growth (part of the education process involves place where young people can still get their foot on land, from urban to industrial areas and from students honing their skills in partnership with the first step of the property ladder. And with an eye beachfronts to mountain vistas, Surrey truly has companies such as Ballard Power). to the future, Surrey’s Affordable Housing Strategy something for everyone. Also, the Canadian Universities website lists 27 was developed to identify specific needs, local The future success of Surrey couldn’t

2011 CENSUS AND CITY OF SURREY career colleges and trade schools located within the market conditions and initiatives that will maintain be more assured—or exciting.

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Beedie School of Business is committed to Surrey, one of the fastest growing cities in the country, and home to the

• Part-Time MBA Program, an MBA designed for working professionals that allows you to work while you earn your degree. • Undergraduate BBA Program’s Charles Chang Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, enabling all SFU students to gain the skills you’ll need in today’s fast-paced business environment.

Proud partner of: Surrey’s Social Innovation Summit Surrey Board of Trade’s 25 under 25

beedie.sfu.ca

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