Fraser Valley Alliance: Where Ideas Grow

BC’s Fraser Valley is rapidly emerging as one of Canada’s most dynamic business centres. With over 500,000 residents and 17,000 businesses, the region draws interest from investors, entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world.

BC’s Fraser Valley is rapidly emerging as one of Canada’s most dynamic business centres. With over 500,000 residents and 17,000 businesses, the region draws interest from investors, entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world. 

The economic development functions of Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley Township, Maple Ridge and Mission have self-formed as the Fraser Valley Alliance, a partnership focused on attracting foreign direct investment through demonstrated sector strengths in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, agri-business, clean technology and information communications technology.

“The FVA partnership allows us to showcase the region’s strengths as an applied technology corridor that’s investment ready,” says Stacey Crawford, Director of Economic Development for the City of Mission. “This approach allows us to have a much greater impact and reach than if we all tried to do this on our own.”

Wendy Koh with the Province’s Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation strongly agrees. “Having a single, unified voice is an incredibly powerful tool for our global network of trade and investment representatives,” she says. “This partnership makes it so much easier for international investors to understand the Fraser Valley’s value proposition.”  

The Fraser Valley’s economic growth has been fueled by immigration and migration, including by Metro Vancouver residents and businesses seeking affordability, lifestyle and room to grow. The region’s access to markets, large skilled workforce, and the significant multicultural and multilingual population help attract foreign investors and those looking to export to new markets.

The region is home to leading post-secondary academic institutions including the University of the Fraser Valley, Trinity Western University and Kwantlen Polytechnic University, which offer a full range of degrees, skilled trades programs and specialized education. All work with industry to ensure the region offers a steady pipeline of skilled talent to the business community.

The Fraser Valley’s excellent transportation network, proximity to the USA and trade centres, international airports and deep-water ports, are critical assets for attracting and retaining foreign investors. Cascade Aerospace, Brenntag, TYCROP, E-One Moli Energy Corp., Genesis Robotics and Lumex Instruments are just some of the major employers in the Fraser Valley’s expanding advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and technology sectors.

As Canada’s most productive agricultural sector on a per hectare basis, the Fraser Valley is also home to some of Canada’s best-known food and beverage producers and is an emerging centre for research and innovation in the agri-technology sector.

 “The Fraser Valley offers such an incredible value proposition to international companies looking to enter the North American market or to grow their existing businesses,” Crawford says. “BC’s Fraser Valley will be Canada’s next applied technology investment corridor.”

Please visit investfraservalley.ca today to learn why the Fraser Valley is your best investment destination in Canada.

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