Introduction to Merritt

Welcome to the City of Merritt

The heart of the beautiful Nicola Valley. Merritt is at the junction of the Coquilhalla Highway system, an engineering marvel completed in 1991 that has made Merritt the gateway to the Interior of British Columbia. Merritt is a three hour drive to five international airports, giving our residents, visitors, and business people quick access to destinations and markets around the world. Merritt boasts a favourable climate with long hours of sunshine and very little precipitation throughout the year.

Nature and Recreation Opportunities

Two rivers flow through our City that provides easy access to hundreds of lakes and many recreational activities for residents and visitors. Many provincial organizations recognize the quality of life and recreation activities in the Merritt area by establishing events throughout the year. Some examples include the annual Pacific Forest Rally and the ATV Association of BC’s annual quad jamboree.

The Regional Hub of the Nicola Valley.

We offer shopping, access to public service, education, health care, employment services, social support, and many other benefits. Merritt has much to offer every resident, visitor, and business person. We encourage you to explore our website to see what we have to offer as a resident, a visitor looking for activities to enjoy, or as a business looking to find a place to start, grow, or relocate your operations. Whatever your lifestyle, whatever your adventure, the City of Merritt offers a blend of country fun, an urban lifestyle, outdoor adventure, and a progressive business climate.

In 2011, the residents of Merritt celebrated the 100 year anniversary since incorporation. Throughout the growth of Merritt, forestry, mining, and agriculture & ranching have provided the foundation for economic prosperity, contributing to the quality of life benefits to our citizens and supporting the provincial economic engine.

A Diverse Nicola Valley

As our economy diversifies and becomes less reliant on traditional industries, our business sector represents a variety of industries. The retail sector is growing to serve the surrounding area, our financial services include traditional and non-traditional businesses models, the tourism sector is building its position in the marketplace, and there is a growing high tech incubation community. Our industries are moving forward and building for the future.

With the diversification of the economy and the partnership of our First Nations communities, Merritt saw the development of BC’s only Aboriginal public post-secondary institution, the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT). NVIT draws students from around the province to participate and develop skills necessary to be successful in the labour market.

Our neighbouring First Nations are tremendous supporters of business and services in our community and the City of Merritt has built strong relations with these bands in recognition of their contribution to the success of our city. Together we work together to bring economic opportunities that will benefit everyone in our community and the surrounding area.

The City of Merritt has some leading tourism sites that are unique and national in scope. We boast the home of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame and the Walk of Stars handprints, along with the Michelle Loughery Murals that depict the various country music artists past and present. The music events at Spirit Square and other venues throughout the city set the stage for our branding of the Canadian Country Music Capital of Canada.

In The Movies

Merritt and it’s surrounding areas provide a wonderful opportunity for on location filming. To find more information on filming that has taken place in Merritt and the Nicola Valley, please see the TNFC’s website or check out the Creative BC‘s Location Library.

Notable Films in the Merritt area include:

Mayor, Council and Staff respectfully acknowledge that the City of Merritt is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Nlaka’pamux and Syilx people.