Economic Development

Economic Development Office

The City of Merritt’s Economic Development Office is primarily focused around business growth and retention. This involves business and investment attraction, including property development, as well as supporting local businesses. Specifics on the role of the Economic Development Office can be found in the City’s Economic Development Strategy (below).

CONTACT

Marilyn Christensen
Economic Development Manager
marilyn.christensen@merritt.ca

Economic Development Strategy

The City of Merritt’s updated Economic Development Strategy (2022) reflects the current and desired future economic development for the community.  It is based on the vision, mission, guiding principles of the Official Community Plan (OCP) (2022). Thanks to funding from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior, and the contributions and input from various local industry sectors, this new Economic Development Strategy provides a foundation for stakeholders to work collaboratively toward the same vision, enabling the City and community organizations to respond to funding opportunities as well as attract investment. This document is an update from the 2014/2015 Economic Development Action Plan and the Integrated Growth Strategy (IGS) (2010).

 

Business & Investment Attraction

The City of Merritt’s Economic Development Office is responsible for attracting prospective business & industry, property development, and residents. This is achieved through placemaking, or essentially establishing Merritt as a place to live, work, play, and visit through the enhancement of physical form and social opportunities that drive economic growth. Examples of placemaking include public artwork, signage, beautification, and entertainment opportunities. Effectively, investment attraction efforts of the Economic Development Office centre around promoting the quality of life in Merritt, featuring amenities and social opportunities, that help attract employers and employees.

Business Retention

The City of Merritt’s Economic Development Office supports local businesses by conducting regular visits with businesses to learn about their challenges, discover successes, and identify methods for improvement.  These Business Walks can be pre-scheduled by contacting the Economic Development Office.

CONTACT

Marilyn Christensen
Economic Development Manager
marilyn.christensen@merritt.ca

The Department is committed to capitalizing on our advantages to encourage economic growth to preserve our prosperity. We are here to support the routes (and roots) to growth by providing information and strategic advice to business and industry, and working with our partners to identify and pursue economic development opportunities.