Low interest rates and strong demand have fueled the housing market, creating many construction jobs. The recent increase in demand for construction materials has led to increased output and distribution companies relocating to Kamloops. The superior transportation and communication infrastructure, the low-cost freight advantage and industrial land provides a strong business case for the relocation of major distribution companies. These global companies have direct access to North American and Asian markets through the Ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert. Higher commodity prices have led to increased mining exploration. More than 125 fabrication and manufacturing companies operate in the Kamloops Area. Wood value-added manufacturing represents 16% GDP output for the region. The climate, which is so conducive to the emerging agricultural-science industry, also attracts a large number of tourists and retirees to the region.
The City of Kamloops offers competitive development costs which allow the city to be a leader in promotion of new infrastructure.
Development cost charges (DCCs) are a cost-recovery tool used by local governments throughout BC to recover from developers monies to off-set the capital costs of altering or expanding infrastructure such as sewage, water, drainage, highway facilities and providing or improving parkland.
Infrastructure improvements provide for the broader community needs, and not just those of a specific site or development.
For DCC rates visit Development Cost Charge By-law for details.
Kamloops offers efficient processing times for business development permits. The average City of Kamloops processing times are accelerated compared to those experienced in other cities of similar size and population. This makes Kamloops a very development friendly community with fast results.
Visit www.kamloops.ca/building/ for more information on building permits. Visit 2009 Annual Report Section II - Application Performance & Efficiency - view pages 9 & 10
Kamloops is situated at the hub of leisure and commercial travel in BC due to its location at the crossroads of BC's major highways - the Coquihalla (Hwy 5), Trans Canada (Hwy 1), and Highway 97. Over 25 trucking and transport companies that ship goods across BC, Canada and the U.S. are located in the region. See page 16 on Site Selector
Kamloops is one of only two places in Canada that is serviced by both national railways; Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways. Deluxe tourist passenger service is also provided by Rocky Mountaineer Vacations between Calgary and Vancouver, stopping overnight in Kamloops.
Kamloops Airport offers service between Kamloops and Vancouver, Calgary, Prince George. In addition to passenger transport, the airport handles a considerable amount of air cargo. See page 17 on Site Selector
Venture Kamloops provides a full-spectrum of business support for new and expanding business within the City of Kamloops.
Kamloops has many organizations and associations geared to helping business prosper. The city's newly created business and client services division will unravel red tape, deal with contractual matters, and conduct business liaison and best-practice research, making it a more streamlined service. Other associations include FrontCounterBC, Ministry of Economic Development, Business Improvement Associations, Tourism Kamloops, the Kamloops Home Based Business Association, Kamloops Chamber of Commerce and the Accommodation Association just to name a few.
Construction activity in Kamloops has hit its highest levels in the past 10 years - currently $2 billion of resort residential projects are currently in progress.
Construction values have climbed to more than 200 million for 2008. Venture Kamloops is proud to show these figures and encourages new development throughout Kamloops and Area. For a complete look at the property available in Kamloops please feel free to look at a detailed report of available industrial land within the City of Kamloops. Click here to link to the document.