Business Opportunities
Business Overview
Salmon Arm offers unlimited potential for successful new business to establish here, whether in the manufacturing or the service sectors. The emergence and growth of many technology-based companies support Salmon Arm's traditional economic base comprising forestry, agriculture and dairy farming, tourism and retailing.
Agriculture and intensive livestock operations generate more than $75 million worth of business in the region and employ a significant number of workers. Agri-Tourism has also become a rapidly expanding market for Salmon Arm and surrounding areas.
The community boasts pollution-free manufacturing and assembly plants and facilities which include world-class industrial and commercial products: log homes to Asia and Europe, advanced software for computerized machinery and telecommunication products, sophisticated heavy industrial plastic components, recyclers, luxury coach and watercraft manufacturing.
Tourism, reflecting our wealth of recreational attractions and outstanding scenic beauty, represents one of Salmon Arm's fastest-growing business sectors and areas of opportunity for investment.
Retail embraces over 900,000 square feet of total gross shopping space, with most establishments located in a lively vibrant downtown area and in two full service convenient malls. As the community expands and given the additional infrastructre improvements that have taken place in the past 5 years, it is evident that there exists many opportunities in the area of retail expansion and growth. Our core population of over 16,000 resides within a fast-growing trading area of 40,000 people. Indeed, inside a 125 km radius of Salmon Arm lies our expanded trading community, a thriving region where more than 585,000 people live, work and play. With projected growth estimated at 2 percent a year, Salmon Arm is positioned, both strategically and geographically, to offer the kind of dynamic services and human resources you need to make your business a success.
Locational Advantages and Market Access
Our location is equidistant to Vancouver and Calgary on Trans Canada Highway
The Okanagan Valley's Northern gateway, the Shuswap is the bustling centre for commerce, government services and institutional facilities, convenient with road, rail and air links to Canadian, U.S. and overseas markets and connected to the world via advanced telephone and fibre-optic communication technology.
View Community Profile: Market Access
Living Costs are Lower than Major Cities
Moderate cost of living means lower business costs. In Salmon Arm we can offer lower taxes, lower labour costs, lower land and building costs than you would find in a larger centre.
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Real Estate
Government and Services
Taxation
Quality of Life
Business/Industrial Park Lands and Retail/Service Space is Available!
Our Business Park hosts reasonably priced serviced lots ready to facilitate your business needs whether it is manufacturing, industrial or assembly plants.
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Infrastructure and Facilities are in Place
Salmon Arm overflows with life-enhancing attributes normally associated with much larger population centres.
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Four Seasons Opportunities are available
If you are looking for a place with a mild, yet distinct, four-seasons climate, superior year-round recreational amenities from skiing on snow or water to bird-watching - it's here.
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Skilled, Educated Workforce
With Okanagan University College, University of British Columbia, University of the Cariboo and other educational facilities in our area we are producing highly specialized graduates. We continue to meet both labour and training requirements of new and existing businesses. One of Salmon Arm's major employers is a pioneer and global leader in automated sawmill technology and related materials handling equipment. Our community is overflowing with young enthusiastic, talented, well-educated individuals. Whether you need an engineer, a machinist or a customer service rep, our educational partners are ready to assist you in building a program to meet your specific training needs.
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Labour
Manufacturing Skill Gap Analysis
Business Opportunities
Tourism
Results from the Shuswap Tourism Opportunity indicate a variety of business area with potential. View Shuswap Tourism Opportunity Results
Suggestions: Water Taxi from North Shuswap campgrounds to Salmon Arm events
Retail
A retail gap analysis was completed in 2003 and some business opportunities were identified. Access the study for a detailed snapshot of our retail sector. View Retail Market Analysis. New information to be released soon.
Service
View Aviation Opportunities
View Housing Needs Assessment
Hospitality
Waterfront pub & dining, restaurant in historic courthouse building, imaginative eateries.
Manufacturing
A Manufacturing Skill Gap Analysis identified the range of skill sets in our region, a manufacturing workforce of over 1900 skilled individuals. There are significant opportunities to expand this diversified sector based on the available trades. The majority of our manufacturers are non resource based with strong export markets. In addition regular job openings are available in some highly skilled fields like computer technologists, millwrights, salespeople and qualified trades. Access this report for a comprehensive analysis.
See Shuswap Manufacturing Skills Gap Analysis
For more information on sourcing made in bc manufactured goods, please visit the British Columbia Manufacturers Directory. See www.made-in-bc.ca
Disclaimer
The businesses suggested here are for information purposes and not endorsed by the SAEDS. Due diligence should be used in conducting market research.
We invite you to contact the Business Coach with the Salmon Arm & Area Business Development Program for assistance in business development planning on these or any other business concepts - See Business Development Program.
