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Community Profile: Coquitlam

Coquitlam has built a reputation as an outstanding city to live, learn, work and play. Located in the heart of Metro Vancouver, where the Coquitlam River connects with the Fraser River, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the Lower Mainland. It's a place where entrepreneurs, businesses, new...

Coquitlam has built a reputation as an outstanding city to live, learn, work and play. Located in the heart of Metro Vancouver, where the Coquitlam River connects with the Fraser River, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the Lower Mainland. It’s a place where entrepreneurs, businesses, new residents, and families can fulfill their future dreams and realize their goals.

As the sixth largest city in the Lower Mainland, Coquitlam has countless opportunities. It is easily accessible: only a 40-minute drive from downtown Vancouver or 40 minutes from the US border. The city also features several parks, trails and community facilities, arts and culture amenities, as well as excellent educational institutions, all of which have contributed to its rapid growth.

Over the last decade, Coquitlam has experienced significant growth, evolving into a thriving city – one which ranked fifth in BC Business’ list of “Best Cities for Work in B.C.” in 2015. It was also honoured with the “BC Small Business Roundtable’s 2013 Open for Business Award” from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training. The city’s growth is evident from its population increase of 112,000 in 2001 to almost 140,000 in 2016. It is predicted to nearly double to 224,000 by 2041.

Another contributing factor to Coquitlam’s economic growth is the public investments in recent major infrastructure projects including the Port Mann/Hwy 1 improvements ($2.5B), the King Edward Overpass ($60M) and, of course, the Evergreen Extension of SkyTrain. The Evergreen Extension represents a key development for Coquitlam by linking Coquitlam, Port Moody and Burnaby through rapid transit with a direct connection to the existing SkyTrain Millennium Line. This $1.4B transportation infrastructure project has already propelled substantial development along the SkyTrain corridor and near the stations, by providing better transit connections between Coquitlam and downtown Vancouver.

City-wide growth and investment, together with the innovation, entrepreneurship, and commitment of residents and businesses, has created a vibrant business climate. Today, Coquitlam offers the best of both worlds – a superb quality of life in a contemporary city combined with a highly educated workforce, proximity to major markets and an array of business and investment opportunities. These advantages have attracted extensive interest from residential, industrial and commercial investors.

When you factor in an efficient and modern transportation network, housing options, world-class amenities, an innovative business community and an open and accessible government, you have a city poised for continued success.