Squamish named one of Canada’s top 10 communities for entrepreneurship

Squamish has been named by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) as one of Canada’s top ten communities for entrepreneurship in 2018. The report evaluates Canadian communities based on 13 key indicators including entrepreneurial policy, business establishment per capita, business growth and commercial taxation. Squamish is the only B.C. community in the top ten, and was ranked first in the category of Entrepreneurial Presence based on general and per capita growth of business establishments, indicating a strong ability to foster new or experienced entrepreneurs.

“This recognition demonstrates that a small town with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and outdoor lifestyle can be equally celebrated amongst its big city counterparts. Our deep and diverse talent pool of creative, out-of-the-box thinkers brings an incredible vibrancy to our community, our businesses and our services,” says District of Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott. “We are very proud to live in a community where clean technology, renewable energy, and creative and knowledge-based industry are rising to the top of our key economic growth sectors and we continue to attract new investment that aligns with our youthful, innovative and entrepreneurial Squamish brand.”

Economy and Local Jobs is identified as one of four key priorities in the District of Squamish 2019-2022 Strategic Plan which outlines where Council will direct energy, resources and focus over the next four years. In addition to being named B.C.’s best city for work in 2019, Squamish was recently selected among 30 B.C. communities for a new provincial pilot program that will further attract entrepreneurs from around the world to establish businesses within the District’s targeted growth sectors.

“When we’re included in reports and rankings, we celebrate the achievement, but are always mindful of the methodology and are never ones to rest on our laurels,” continues Elliott. “They do help us look introspectively at where we’re advancing, where we still have challenges and where we’re being recognized in order to help us identify opportunities moving forward.”

The complete CFIB report, including the entrepreneurship indicators and analysis of Canadian cities and communities, can be viewed online at https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/sites/default/files/2019-04/Entrepreneurial-Communities-2018.pdf

To learn more about economic development in the District of Squamish visit https://squamish.ca/economic-development/.

April 9, 2019