The trading market for Squamish is substantially greater than the municipal population, and includes residents along the Sea To Sky Corridor from Pemberton to Britannia Beach. More than that however approximately 4.5 million people travel the Sea To Sky Corridor (over 12,000 daily), creating a target market greater than 250,000 for a broad mix of products and services.

Socio-economic Influences, Trends and Activities

A large number of internal and external influences are having a significant impact on the changes currently taking place in the Squamish area.

Though interest in the community from investors, entrepreneurs and new residents was already growing, the advent of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games is playing a significant role in accelerating and even driving the community’s transformation. Squamish’s location between Vancouver and Whistler on what’s being touted as the Olympic Corridor is an obvious advantage the community has already begun to maximize. Local leaders have stoutly recognized that everything they do to prepare their community before the 2010 Winter Olympics, will determine how well the area will benefit following the Games.

A significant part of the area’s transformation is the community’s approach to business and investment. The District of Squamish continues to metamorphose into a more sophisticated organization that welcomes and accommodates investment of many types. Pressures on the municipality in the areas of economic development and planning have increased dramatically over the past two years. In response, the community and economic development departments have been enhanced with more staff and resources to ensure demands from the private sector are being met.

Key socio-economic research and data collection projects are also being conducted to efficiently gather important information that will support proactive decision-making as the community develops.