Nanaimo, BC

Nanaimo is the geographical centre of one of the fastest growing areas in Canada - Vancouver Island! The reasons for this astounding growth are no secret ... Nanaimo is an excellent place to live, work and invest. With its talented workforce, extraordinary beauty, enviable lifestyle and first rate infrastructure, Nanaimo is attracting new business to the area.

The city’s climate and quality of life inspires migrants from areas across the country. In fact, the city’s population grew by 9.4% from 1996 to 2005. Over half of all new residents come from other provinces in Canada and many include working aged families with young children in addition to empty nesters and pre-retirees. Construction activity is strong and continues to thrive as Nanaimo’s economy experiences residential and commercial growth.

More people means more demand for local products and services. With more than 5,200 licensed businesses, the business community has grown almost 10% since 2001. More products and services have brought more variety and a strengthening of Nanaimo’s role as a regional service centre for much of Vancouver Island. Nanaimo’s trade area is over 371,000 with annual retail expenditures in excess of $1.4 billion for the Regional District of Nanaimo.

Nanaimo’s residents are experienced, creative, well-educated and available to work. Its companies are unique and offer their products and services, regionally, nationally and globally. In the past two decades Malaspina University-College has become a leader in contract training for business and industry and is instrumental in producing many of the Island’s most qualified and sought-after recruits.

Thanks to some forward thinking, Nanaimo is well wired for the information highway. Technology companies love the Harbour City because of its fibre optic networks, and access to high-speed telecommunications. All of this with great waterfront ambience and affordable operating costs.

Funky office space and easy access to Vancouver via the local airport, hourly sea plane service and two ferry terminals, combined with a quality of life beyond compare makes Nanaimo a hot investment opportunity.

Knowledge-based industries, tourism, the arts and culture sector and manufacturing lead the pack right now as the focus for retention, expansion and attraction of new businesses in Nanaimo. The timing has never been better or more exciting to build a business in Nanaimo.

For more information about exciting new opportunities in Nanaimo contact the Economic Development Office, Marilyn Hutchinson at (250) 755-4466 or email marilyn.hutchinson@nanaimo.ca.