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INVEST in BC 2 0 1 9 33 Official Publication of the BC Economic Development Association. In special partnership with BCBusiness. Untitled-10 1 2/27/20 1:06 PM MERRITT MERRITT: WHERE WE FLOURISH UNDER THE SUN TOGETHER W elcome to Merritt, British Columbia, and the beautiful Nicola Valley. The City of Merritt's Economic Development Department is here to provide quality information, increase the growth and competitiveness of our value-added sectors, work to attract investment and promote the City of Merritt. LOCATION Located at the intersection of key major transportation routes, the City of Merritt offers transportation and distribution to all points throughout B.C. and beyond. Relocating, building or establishing your business in Merritt is a smart business decision and a wise lifestyle choice. EDUCATION In Merritt, 27% of the population is under 25 years of age, and 43% of the community is under the age of 40. To serve its growing population, the city offers five elementary schools, one high school, one Community Learning Centre and the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT). TAX EXEMPTION PROGRAM Progressive taxation policies to encourage business growth and attraction are the cornerstone of our business-friendly environment. The City of Merritt has a four-year revitalization tax exemption bylaw that offers up to 100 percent in year one and scales down to 25 percent in year four before returning to regular taxes. A LIFESTYLE CHOICE Merritt supports the longest established franchise in the B.C. Junior Hockey League. There is a modern aquatic centre, a skateboard park and children's water park, sports fields, tennis courts and a nine-hole golf course. There are also mountain bike, ATV and hiking trail networks surrounding the city. EVENT DESTINATION There is always something going on from the Bass Coast Music and Art Festival and the Rockin' River Festival, to rodeos and stock car races. The City of Merritt caps off the year with the Merritt Country Christmas parade—one of North America's largest night Christmas parades. Looking for the perfect place to hold your next event? Reach out to our Economic Development Manager today. NEW INITIATIVES The Bayshore Minerals Mine is set to open east of Merritt. The city has implemented a new geographic information system (GIS) to showcase available land and infrastructure, and new for 2020 are the city's zoning bylaw review and rewrite, a review of the official community plan and work on a cycling network plan. The city has implemented the Age- Friendly and Accessibility Advisory Committee, the Youth Advisory Committee and the Merritt Airport Advisory Committee, and council has identified new strategic priorities including downtown revitalization, a communications strategic plan and a housing needs assessment. Contact: WILL GEORGE Economic Development Manager CITY OF MERRITT Phone: 250-378-8619 Email: wgeorge@merritt.ca Website: www.merritt.ca Merritt_Profile_0520.indd 32 2020-03-25 11:45 AM INVEST in BC 2 0 2 0 33