Squamish has once again been named the Most Economically Resilient City in the province by BCBusiness magazine.
The rankings are based on 10 indicators, including five-year population growth, resident sense of belonging, residential sales, rental vacancy rate, unemployment rate and economic diversity. This is the fourth time that Squamish has topped the list.
“As our community grows, our focus has been on working to diversify and strengthen our economy to create meaningful and lasting employment opportunities for our current and future workforce while working to make sure we’re resilient for the future opportunities and challenges that will face all communities,” said Mayor Armand Hurford in a District of Squamish news release.
“We appreciate this recognition and also acknowledge that efforts continue to address the most pressing issues of our time – affordability, access to childcare, upgrading facilities, maintaining and upgrading underground infrastructure, and workforce attraction and retention.”
The release notes that Squamish has attracted new industries and businesses in many fields and highlighted green technology and innovation, craft food and beverage and agriculture, as well as outdoor recreation technology, performance apparel and adventure-based film and media.
“The growth of both emerging and established key sectors is essential to ensuring our economic resilience well into the future, and we are creating opportunities to enhance and support these sectors,” said the District’s economic development officer, Kate Mulligan, in the release.
“Our economic development office is taking a balanced approach to developing our economy that considers the economic, social, and environmental well-being of all of our residents. While there is still much work to do, this ranking is acknowledgment that we’re on the right track, and an opportunity to highlight the momentum of our vibrant business ecosystem.”
