“All Roads Lead to Merritt”

INTRODUCTION

WelcomeVideo – 8 minutesTeam Merritt Nicola Valley Presenters;– Bob Gordon, CFDC Nicola Valley– Jeffrey Lee, Superstar Properties– Chris Langhaug, Goldtrail Ventures Ltd.– Gary Arnold, Upper Nicola Indian Band– Frank Rizzardo, Nicola Lakeshore Estates– James Fountain, Eagle’s Nest Log Industries

Merritt and the Nicola Valley

Location

Favourable Climate

Warm and dryLow snow fallHours of Sunshine 2,030 hoursAnnual Mean Snowfall 99.6 mmAnnual Mean Rainfall 189.3 mm

Key Industries

ForestryRanchingMiningAgricultureTourismEducation

International Partnerships

Industry CanadaProvince of BCEnergy Supply Infrastructure– Terasen– BC Hydro

Labour, ProfessionalsNicola Valley Institute of TechnologyFavourable Labour PoolSkilled labour and tradesProduction StudiosFiber Optic Community

Service Industries

Auto repairProfessional– Engineering– Environmental– Healthcare – Hospital

TechnologyHospitalityFilmDude Ranch

Core Business Draws

Affordable propertyQuality of lifeEase of doing businessMarket Access – local and internationalMajor transportation corridor

Merritt – Vancouver – Seattle -Kelowna

90% of transport trucks

Distribution

Private airstrip

Recreational Investment Opportunities

All season resort destination– Marshall Springs– Active Mountain Resort

Lake Front Development– Golf Course

Extreme Sports– Para-sailing, Skydiving, Race

Tracks, Motocross

Recreation/DestinationLots on the go…– Merritt Mountain Music

Festival (MMMF)– National Professional

Rodeo– Old Fashioned Country

Christmas

Recreation

Nicola Valley has long been recognized for its recreation– Fishing – Camping– Hiking– Mountain Biking– Golfing– Sailing– Windsurfing– Cross-country Skiing– Snowmobile– Ice fishing

Recreation and Tourism

Recreation and Tourism

Recreation and Tourism

Recreation and Tourism

Range of Investment Opportunities

$50,000 to $30,000,000

Investments - Opportunities

Why invest in Merritt?Range of investmentsTrack record– MMMF– Pacific Forest Rally Race– Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo

Competitive TaxesBusiness atmosphere: labour, marketing, comparable costs: taxes, land, permits

Industrial and Development Investment

WarehousingManufacturingLight Industrial– Value-added– Textiles

Renewable Energy

Commercial– Factory outlet– Wholesale

Retail– Growing

community

Value Added

Highway CommercialWal-Mart is at Development Permit stageExtra Foods has just opened a grocery store / gas bar.Canadian Tire has opened with 45 new employment opportunitiesWagons West Travel Plaza / Husky Truck Stop with good access off the highway, convenience store, full service restaurant and gelato bar with special amenities for truckers - showers, lounge, phones and internet access

Highway Commercial

Nicola Valley Seniors Careominium

Nicola Meadows

•Nicola Meadows, a seniors assisted living housing project is under construction.

Coquihalla Gillis House

•Coquihalla-Gillis House is undergoing a 10,000 renovation project.

Renewable Resources

Mining

Natural Gas

Green Energy

Wind Energy

Value Added/Available Resources

Custom Log HomesArdew – prefab. Manufacturing homesFinger jointingBlue stain pineHardwood flooringManufacturing

Eagle’s Nest Log Industries

Full ScribeChinkedPost and Beam100% Aboriginal Owned

Contacts

Bob Gordon, CFDC Nicola ValleyJeffrey Lee, Superstar PropertiesChris Langhaug, Goldtrail Ventures Ltd.Gary Arnold, Upper Nicola Indian BandFrank Rizzardo, Nicola Lakeshore EstatesJames Fountain, Eagle’s Nest Log Industries

Contact Information

Community Futures Development Corporation

Phone (250) 378-3923

Fax: (250) 378-3924

2099 Quilchena Ave.Merritt, BC V1K 1B8