Diversity is the Strength of the Township of Langley

The Township of Langley runs from historic Fort Langley and the Fraser River to the U.S. border and within this semi-rural area agriculture is important, but there is also manufacturing, wholesale trade, construction, transportation and warehousing.

The Township of Langley runs from historic Fort Langley and the Fraser River to the U.S. border and within this semi-rural area numerous sectors thrive including agriculture, manufacturing, wholesale trade, construction, transportation and warehousing amongst others.

The diversity in the Township of Langley (TOL) is impressive.

Statistically, it is the fastest growing municipality in the Metro Vancouver area with a population projected to double from its current 121,727 by the year 2040. The average annual household income is $120,000 and the median age is a youthful 40.

“When it comes to the capacity and diversity of our local economy, we have a number of key industries anchored here in the municipality,” says Val Gafka, senior manager of economic investment and development for TOL.

From the shores of the Fraser River and historic Fort Langley to the U.S. border, the Township offers easy and efficient access to domestic and international markets. Within this semi-rural area, agriculture and agritourism are important, yet manufacturing, wholesale trade, construction, transportation and warehousing sectors equally thrive here. There is also a very active creative film industry with local studios producing feature films and TV series producing quality content for Canadian and international markets, and in which more than 1,700 local residents are employed.

Arts, culture and recreation are also top draws, as are the Township’s tourism opportunities including wineries, farm-to-table food-production initiatives, golf courses and the arts & culture scene that showcases a diversity of things to do. Sports infrastructure provides an array of world-class sport-hosting event capacity.

“This is how sustainability and stability come into play,” Gafka says.

“When it comes to business advantages, we’ve got them: We have one of the highest workforce participation rates and—when it comes to business taxation levies—we offer levies on-par or up to two percent better than some of our neighbouring municipalities.”

A unique pilot project with the Union of BC Municipalities launched an age-friendly business recognition program whereby aging support policies are in place to encourage age-friendly social cohesion and greater interaction with seniors.

In keeping with the projected growth rate, the Township is working with Metro Vancouver  on affordable housing initiatives, while more than $500 million in construction permits were issued in 2017 for housing development.

To learn more, please visit invest.tol.ca.