BETTER FOR BUSINESS • BETTER FOR LIFE CHILLIWACK COMMUNITY PROFILE Attracting and Facilitating Economic Growth This Community Profile has been produced by the TABLE OF CONTENTS Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation (CEPCO), THIS DOCUMENT IS HYPERLINKED FOR EASY NAVIGATION. the organization responsible for the City of Chilliwack’s economic growth. CEPCO’s primary role includes: OVERVIEW ............................................. 3 ECONOMICS ......................................... 30 • ADVANTAGES ......................................... 4 • LIVING COSTS ........................................ 31 • Assisting businesses with expansion and relocation • LOCATION .............................................. 5 • BUSINESS COSTS ..................................... 32 • CLIMATE ................................................ 6 • BUSINESS LICENCES ................................ 33 • QUALITY OF LIFE ..................................... 7 • INCOME & INSURANCE ........................... 34 • Marketing Chilliwack as an appealing destination for • DEVELOPMENT COSTS ............................. 35 business and investment DEMOGRAPHICS ................................... 8 • TAXATION ............................................. 36 • POPULATION ........................................... 9 • Working to maintain and create local employment • HOUSEHOLDS ......................................... 10 DEVELOPMENT .................................... 37 • LANGUAGE & ETHNICITY ......................... 11 • HIGHLIGHTS .......................................... 38 • RELIGION .............................................. 12 • INDUSTRIAL .......................................... 39 With a mission to strengthen Chilliwack’s economy, • COMMERCIAL ........................................ 40 the Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation (CEPCO) AMENITIES ........................................... 13 • INSTITUTIONAL ..................................... 41 • EDUCATION ........................................... 14 • RESIDENTIAL ......................................... 42 helps both new and existing business grow and prosper. • HEALTHCARE .......................................... 15 • DOWNTOWN ......................................... 43 Contact CEPCO to learn more. • SAFETY & SECURITY ................................ 16 • FUTURE GROWTH ................................... 44 • SPORTS & RECREATION ........................... 17 • LEISURE & CULTURE ................................ 18 CONTACTS ............................................ 45 • ATTRACTIONS ........................................ 19 • CHILLIWACK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT .... 46 • GOVERNMENTS ...................................... 47 INFRASTRUCTURE ............................... 20 • TRADE & INVESTMENT CANADA ............... 48 • TRANSPORTATION .................................. 21 • IMMIGRATION ....................................... 49 • UTILITIES .............................................. 22 • RESOURCES ............................................ 50 FOR BUSINESS EXPANSION, RELOCATION FOR BUILDING APPROVALS, LICENSES • TELECOMMUNICATIONS .......................... 23 OR SUPPORT PROGRAMS, CONTACT: AND PERMITS, CONTACT: • MEDIA .................................................. 24 LABOUR & INDUSTRY ......................... 25 • KEY SECTORS ......................................... 26 • EMPLOYERS ........................................... 27 • LABOUR FORCE ...................................... 28 • EMPLOYMENT ....................................... 29 T: 1.800.561.8803 • 604.792.7839 T: 604.792.9311 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] W: businessinchilliwack.com W: chilliwack.com COPYRIGHT 2014, Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation 2 OVERVIEW | DEMOGRAPHICS | AMENITIES | INFRASTRUCTURE | LABOUR & INDUSTRY | ECONOMICS | DEVELOPMENT | CONTACTS ADVANTAGES | LOCATION | CLIMATE | QUALITY OF LIFE With the strongest growth rate in the area, Chilliwack OVERVIEW demonstrates significant strategic advantages. 3 OVERVIEW | DEMOGRAPHICS | AMENITIES | INFRASTRUCTURE | LABOUR & INDUSTRY | ECONOMICS | DEVELOPMENT | CONTACTS ADVANTAGES | LOCATION | CLIMATE | QUALITY OF LIFE Chilliwack provides multiple advantages, from a talented workforce to low overheads and greater profits. OVERVIEW ADVANTAGES STREAMLINED APPROVALS: Ranked #1 in timing, according to Chilliwack is one of the best places in the world to live, work, and play. A superb quality of life, NAIOP’s 2014 Municipal Report Card, Chilliwack’s municipal services combined with a strong economy, a low cost of living, and proximity to a multitude of amenities, continue to remain the leader in fast, streamlined approvals. make Chilliwack a destination of interest for prospective residents, businesses and investors. QUALITY OF LIFE: With all the amenities of a major urban centre, combined with gorgeous scenery, a more relaxed lifestyle and bur- SKILLED LABOUR: Home to Canada Education Park and the geoning business and employment opportunities, Chilliwack offers an University of the Fraser Valley, among other educational institutions, unparalleled quality of life. Chilliwack provides an ample pool of skilled and educated labour. TOP RANKINGS: Chilliwack is ranked tops for commercial develop- ment in the Lower Mainland. According to NAIOP’s 2014 Municipal ACCESS TO MARKETS: Located along the TransCanada Highway, Report Card, Chilliwack is one of the most affordable and most expedi- near four USA border crossings as well as national and international ent locations to build when it comes to cutting through the red tape. rail stations, Chilliwack provides easy access to a local market of about And it is the only city to appear at, or near, the top of all rankings. 2.8 million people, as well as easy access to Pacific Rim ports and USA customers and suppliers. LOW COSTS: Chilliwack enjoys significantly lower costs of living and doing business than Vancouver and other major centres along the STRONG GROWTH: Chilliwack has enjoyed a population growth of West Coast of North America. In addition to federal and provincial tax nearly 13% over the last census period, which is significantly stronger cuts and incentives, Chilliwack has the lowest tax burden of all other than neighbouring communities. This growth can also be seen in Lower Mainland communities. As well as no municipal tax on fuel, major developments in the area, adding an average of $121 million to Chilliwack has the lowest mill rates, one of the lowest municipal fees, the local economy each year. and one of the lowest commercial to residential taxes in the region. (2014 NAIOP Municipal Report Card). “Top BC Investment Town” “Rated tops. Lowest tax burden. Best timing.” — 2013 REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT NETWORK LTD. — NAIOP 2014 MUNICIPAL REPORT CARD 4 OVERVIEW | DEMOGRAPHICS | AMENITIES | INFRASTRUCTURE | LABOUR & INDUSTRY | ECONOMICS | DEVELOPMENT | CONTACTS ADVANTAGES | LOCATION | CLIMATE | QUALITY OF LIFE Located in Western Canada, Chilliwack is the gateway to North American and Asian markets. OVERVIEW LOCATION Chilliwack is located in the Lower Mainland area of the Pacific Coast of Canada in south west British Columbia (BC). This area includes Metro Vancouver (population: 2.5 million) and the Fraser Valley Regional District (population: 280,000). Chilliwack is about 100 kms (60 miles) from the city of Vancouver. It is bordered by the city of Abbotsford to the west, the community of Agassiz next to the Fraser River to the north, the community of Popkum to the east, and the United States to the south. The City of Chilliwack is distinct from Greater Chilliwack or the Chilliwack Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) which includes the district of Kent, Harrison Hot Springs, several Indian Reserves and Fraser Valley East, which includes Cultus Lake and Chilliwack Lake. DISTANCE AND TRAVEL TIME FROM CHILLIWACK DESTINATION HOURS KM MILES US Border (at Sumas) 0.5 34 21 Abbotsford Airport 0.5 34 21 Seattle 2.3 214 133 Kelowna 3.3 286 178 Vancouver 1.1 108 60 Surrey 0.75 78 48 Located along the TransCanada Highway near four US border crossings, Chilliwack provides easy access to markets and supplies. CLICK TO VIEW CHILLIWACK ON GOOGLE MAPS 5 OVERVIEW | DEMOGRAPHICS | AMENITIES | INFRASTRUCTURE | LABOUR & INDUSTRY | ECONOMICS | DEVELOPMENT | CONTACTS ADVANTAGES | LOCATION | CLIMATE | QUALITY OF LIFE With a mild climate, Chilliwack enjoys a long growing season and year-round outdoor activities. OVERVIEW CLIMATE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE The Lower Mainland of British Columbia (BC) has one of the mildest climates in Canada. Winters are not too cold and summers are not too hot. With fresh air, comfortable tempera- 30 Daily Maximum (°C) Daily Minimum (°C) tures, and vibrant greenery, Chilliwack is a popular choice for visitors, residents and growers. 25 AVERAGE TEMPERATURES 20 The average daily maximum temperature in January is 6.1 degrees Celsius, with a low of 0.8 15 degrees Celsius in the middle of the night. 10 Warmer temperatures start in April and extend through October. The summer time high in July 5 is 24.5 degrees Celsius, with a refreshing night time temperature of 13 degrees Celsius. 0 PRECIPITATION -5 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Lower Mainland BC is known for its rain. Average January rainfall is 275 mm, while rainfall in September is a low 28.6 mm. As winter temperatures along the Pacific Coast are mild, snow fall ANNUAL PRECIPITATION is limited to only about 20 mm of January’s precipitation. And when it does fall, it generally only 300 stays a few days as