Facts and Figures

Chilliwack is located in British Columbia, 102 kilometers east of Vancouver. As of 2016, 83,788 people were living in the city. Manufacturing accounts for 13% of the GDP while construction accounts for 8% GDP of the city.

Why Chilliwack, BC

Chilliwack is positioned in the fastest-growing regions of BC. It offers greater benefits of doing business in the Vancouver region at much lower costs [1]. Business owners and employees can enjoy greater purchasing power in Chilliwack thanks to a skilled workforce, low taxes, and lower startup costs. In particular, the city offers the following business advantages and incentives:

Incentives and taxation: According to the Vancouver chapter of NAIOP (North American Association of Commercial Real Estate Development), Chilliwack ranked highest for "lowest taxes" and "fastest approvals" in the 2019 Industrial Development Report Card. In 2011, the Industrial Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw was passed to allow for 5 years of tax-free leases on new industrial buildings.

Business-friendly, rapid, and economical: According to the Real Estate Investment Network, Chilliwack is a top investment town in British Columbia. The ratio of light industry to residential tax is lowest here.

Market access/transportation: It is easily accessible by rail and road- thanks to the Trans Canada Highway (Highway 1) and the CN Railway connected to Chilliwack. Since Chilliwack has no local fuel taxes, transport and distribution companies have found Chilliwack appealing. It's easy to reach new markets and supplies with a USA border crossing within 34km (21 miles), the Abbotsford International Airport within 42km (26 miles), and an Ocean port within 80km (50 miles).

Locations reserved for industries:

According to the zoning bylaw 2020 of Chilliwack [2], there are in total six industrial zones in the city. Zone M4 is reserved for heavy industrial lands. The minimum lot area in the zone is 1.2 ha with a minimum lot width of 25m. 60% of the lot area is allowed for open storage, while the rest has to be stored in warehouses. Most of the lands belonging to zone M4 lie between highway 1 and Chilliwack mountain road. Other lands belonging to zone M4 are north of the industrial way at the base of Chilliwack mountain [3].

Areas with Heavy industries

If you talk about warehouses, you will mostly find them on South Sumas road. There are numerous timber producers in the area namely Dryco industries and Uneeda wood products. Amix steel and surplus is located in the part M4 zone near to Chilliwack mountains. Chilliwack motorcycle also has its plant in the same area. Ritchie Bros Auctioneers is an industrial asset deposition and management company. They have their yard for heavy construction machinery in the same area. Visscher specialty products is manufacturer of home extension installations. They are located at the intersection of South Suma and Lickman road.

Major heavy industry employers

Few Major Heavy industry employers in the city are:

• Chilliwack motorcycles

• Lusture products

• Traction heavy truck parts

• Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers

• Visscher Speciality products

References

[1] https://www.businessinchilliwack.com/business-advantages-incentives/

[2]https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/Files/377/ZBA%205000%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202020%20%28Aug%202021%29.pdf

[3] https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/Files/974/Chilliwack_Zoning_Maps.pdf