SECTOR PROFILES - Prince George and... · quarter of 2016 • In BC, 73% of major projects are planned in Northern BC at an estimated value of $238 billion • Canada’s Construction

SECTORPROFILES

Areas of Expertise Support to Northern BC Resource Based Projects • Estimated capital costs was $436.9 billion in the fourth

quarter of 2016

• In BC, 73% of major projects are planned in Northern BC at an estimated value of $238 billion

• Canada’s Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward report anticipates that BC will have increased non-residential construction, as current and proposed projects rise to peak levels by 2021. An estimated 33,400 new workers will be needed to meet expansion and replacement demand requirements between 2017-2026

• Employment growth is expected to accelerate each year as housing projects continue to increase, along with a series of mining and energy projects that are expected to begin

• Developments in the natural resource, business, and tourism sectors place high demand on the construction sector in Prince George. Upcoming construction projects Prince George are related to downtown development and revitalization, hotel construction, and residential and commercial building starts, including seniors housing

• Establishing a business in the city gives companies the opportunity to grow into an evolving market, given the recent diversification and growth in the Prince George economy that has led to the emergence of niche construction markets

Fast Facts• The construction industry accounts for 7% of Canada’s gross

domestic product (GDP) when considering its impacts across all economic sectors, and it maintains and repairs more than $2.2 trillion in assets.

• Strong economic conditions and growth is expected to continue over the next 5 years. This will support continued demand for homes and offices in BC.

• In 2016, the construction sector generated $364 million in GDP for Prince George. From 2011 to 2016, GDP in this sector increased 29.5%.

• The construction sector is a key competitive advantage for Prince George that provides support to resource and other sectors in northern BC.

• In the Cariboo region, the construction sector employs 6,900 people.

• Employment in the Prince George constructions sector has grown by 3% since 2011.

• Prince George features access to high-quality building materials such as lumber, asphalt, steel and concrete.

Industry at a Glance The Prince George construction industry is a key contributor to the development of new projects that are either planned or underway in northern British Columbia (BC). A major part of these projects involves delivering and building modern and innovative infrastructure, creating a large amount of work for the sector. Prince George is strategically located to provide construction related services to projects of all sizes in northern BC including:

• Residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, civil and roadway construction

• Planning and engineering services

• Energy management services• Building operations and

maintenance

• Skilled trades in construction• Design and manufacturing of

sustainable building products and materials

• Renovation and deconstruction

CONSTRUCTIONSector Profile

Companies in Prince GeorgePrince George Business Directory directory.princegeorge.ca

• The Prince George Business Directory is a free and easy to use online searchable database that includes businesses with a Prince George business license operating in all sectors of the economy.

Supply Chain Connector www.supplychainconnector.ca

• The Supply Chain Connector is an online procurement database that allows major industry, communities and government to quickly locate northern BC-based businesses to help them build major projects. The database is easy and free to use.

How we can helpThe City of Prince George Economic Development Division can provide your company with contacts and information about major local and regional projects. We will help you build partnerships and find investment opportunities by:• Providing insight into major projects planned in the region

through our network and events• Facilitating attraction and retention of workforce

• Facilitating introductions to investors and companies in the sector

• Providing market information

Industry ResourcesBritish Columbia Construction Association www.bccassn.com

BuildForce Canada www.buildforce.ca

Building Owners and Managers www.bomacanada.ca Association (BOMA) of Canada

Canadian Construction Association www.cca-acc.com

Canadian Home Builders www.chbanorthernbc.ca Association of Northern BC

Infrastructure Canada www.infrastructure.gc.ca

Northern Development www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca Initiative Trust

Business Opportunities • Wood design and innovation• Workforce, education and training• Manufacturing• Transportation and Logistics• Equipment rental, storage and maintenance

Construction Related Projects$238 billion proposed major projects in northern BC

In 2016• 455 building permits worth $127,850,777 • $72.55 million in residential building permits• $55.34 million in commercial & industrial building permits• 96% from private sector

Providers of Education and Training in The Construction Sector• The College of New Caledonia (CNC) provides Red Seal trades

training in welding, machinist, millwright, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, heavy duty mechanics, autobody, power engineering and more

• Applicable programs at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) include degrees in business and environmental engineering

• The new Master of Engineering in Integrated Wood Design program provided by UNBC will provide education in wood structure engineering, engineering for sustainable energy, and forest product engineering

• The construction of the Wood Innovation and Design Centre (WIDC) has provided the opportunity to merge industry and training by combining the inventive use of wood solutions and education through UNBC, Canada’s Green University™

• Prince George is home to an abundance of educated and knowledgeable professionals, with experts in civil, mechanical, and structural engineering; project management; and architecture

• The College of New Caledonia (CNC) has begun work on a new Heavy Mechanical Trades Training facility. It will accommodate 251 existing full-time spaces and up to 48 new students. The project is expected to be completed in 2018.

City of Prince George - Economic Development Tel. [email protected]

Competitive Advantages Wood Pellets • BC produced nearly 1.87 million tonnes of wood pellets in

2013, which accounts for approximately 65% of the national annual production of wood pellets

• Prince George produces nearly 580,000 tonnes of wood pellets annually, or 23% of total wood pellet production in BC

• Nearly 90% of wood pellets produced in Prince George are exported to European, Asian, and North American markets

Fast Facts• BC is the largest producer of bioenergy in North America and

has an annual capacity of 4,300 GWh

• Prince George contributes 23% of the total wood pellet production in BC

• UNBC’s biomass gasification system has offset nearly 85% of the fossil fuels used previously to heat the campus buildings

• Mount George Wind Park, a proposed wind energy project, is located 38km east of Prince George

Industry at a Glance Infrastructure being built by the advanced and renewable energy cluster in Prince George is positioning the city as a leader in the bioenergy sector in British Columbia (BC). The Prince George energy sector encompasses a broad range of activities:

• Raw materials for production of renewable energy

• Production of wood pellets • Cogeneration• Innovative energy sources such

as biocarbon

• Biomass gasification• Reducing reliance on

fossil fuels• Silviculture and harvesting• Delivery of energy to

end users

ENERGY AND BIOENERGYSector Profile

Industry ResourcesBC Sustainable Energy Association www.bcsea.org

Clean Energy BC www.cleanenergybc.org

Sustainable Development Technology Canada www.sdtc.ca

Canadian Wind Energy Association www.canwea.ca

The British Columbia Bioenergy Network www.bcbioenergy.ca

Business Opportunities • Transmission line maintenance and security • Engineering and professional• Environmental impact assessment • Research and development • Bioenergy• Transportation and logistics• Training and development of workforce

Energy Related Projects$9 billion are underway in the region

$6 billion are proposed in the region

$500 million are proposed in Prince George

Renewable Energy• Prince George has a strategic advantage due to its north-

central location in BC; a region which has the largest amount of wood biomass on available harvesting land in Canada

• Prince George is home to innovative projects like the UNBC gasification plant that heats the campus, the Downtown District Energy System that heats civic buildings, cogeneration at Canfor’s Northwood Pulp Mill, and the Alterna Energy biocarbon pilot plant

• Prince George has seven sawmills that provide raw materials in the form of shavings, hog fuel and sawdust

• The City of Prince George has optimized the Downtown District Energy System by burning local sawmill residues more efficiently in order to provide heat and hot water to eight civic buildings

Logistics Support to the Energy Sector of Northern BC• The presence of a large number of service and supply

companies that support energy development projects in northern BC

• Access to road, rail, and air infrastructure to support the movement of heavy equipment and transformers

• Availability of workforce through College of New Caledonia trades training programs and University of Northern British Columbia natural resources programs

• Close proximity to major energy projects such as the Site C Clean Energy Project and transmission lines










Competitive Advantages Softwood Lumber, Pulp, Wood Pellets and Paper • Since 2007, BC softwood lumber exports to China have

increased by 936%, totaling $1 billion in 2016

• The Prince George Timber Supply Area (TSA) covers almost 8 million hectares

• Prince George is home to Canfor, which is the largest Northern American producer of Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) pulp and the world’s largest provider of fully bleached, high-performance Kraft paper

• The three pulp mills in Prince George are home to some of the largest and most technologically advanced bio-energy systems in the world

• The Prince George paper mill produces both bleached and unbleached high performance Kraft paper products

• Prince George produces up to 580,000 tonnes of wood pellets annually, with nearly 90% going to export markets

• CN has expanded their lumber transload capacity to over 30,000 containers annually for moving lumber, pulp, paper, and wood pellets to the Port Metro Vancouver and the Port of Prince Rupert for export to international markets

Fast Facts• BC is a world leader in forestry with more than 52 million hectares

of forests certified as sustainably managed under standards set by independent agencies such as the Canadian Standards Association, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Forest Stewardship Council

• The three pulp mills in Prince George have the capacity to produce more than 1 million tonnes of pulp annually

• The paper mill in Prince George produces nearly 140,000 tonnes of paper annually

• Prince George contributes 23% of the total wood pellet production in BC

• CN opened the intermodal and distribution facility in Prince George in October 2007 at a cost of over $20 million to support export opportunities in Asia and other markets and has since expanded to increase transload capacity

• 28% of the city’s income is directly and indirectly dependent on the forest industry

• Nearly 50% of Prince George’s labour force is directly or indirectly employed in the manufacturing or forestry industries

• 23% of all rail traffic in BC is forest products

• In BC, 1 out of 4 manufacturing jobs is in the forestry industry. Furthermore, 1 in 16 BC jobs is tied to the forestry industry

Industry at a Glance Prince George, British Columbia (BC) is the centre of a vibrant, sustainable, globally competitive forestry industry that provides enormous benefits to the local and regional economy. The forestry sector in Prince George consists of a complete supply chain network made up of a number of separate, but inter-connected activities:

Prince George has three pulp mills, one paper mill, seven lumber mills, one chip mill, one pole and post mill, and two pellet mills. The pulp mills in Prince George are some of the largest and most technologically advanced in Canada.

• Planning, harvesting and forest management

• Road building• Wood product manufacturing• Wood engineered products

• Transportation and warehousing

• Bio-refining• Forest product marketing• Pulp and paper manufacturing

FORESTRY AND PULP & PAPERSector Profile

Industry Resources Forest Products Association of Canada www.fpac.ca

BC Timber Sales www.for.gov.bc.ca/bcts

Council of Forest Industries www.cofi.org

Western Forestry Contractors’ Association www.wfca.ca

Association of BC Forest Professionals www.abcfp.ca

Business Opportunities • Trucking, logging, silviculture, warehousing and harvesting• Manufacturing of wood engineered products • Engineering and professional services • Environmental impact assessment • Workforce training and development• Equipment rental, storage and maintenance• Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) manufacturing• Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) manufacturing• Parallel Strand Lumber (PSL) manufacturing

Forestry Related Projects$1.2 billion of forestry related projects are proposed in the region

A $13.2 million dollar grant has been awarded to Canfor from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), which supports the development and deployment of clean technology in Canada. The grant will support Canfor Pulp’s proposed biocrude project with Licella Fibre Fuels of Australia.

Logistics Support to the Forestry, Pulp, Wood Pellet and Paper Sector• A large number of logging, trucking, harvesting and plantation

companies are located in Prince George

• Prince George is in close proximity to major markets, and is serviced by rail roads, ports, airports, and major provincial highways

• The city’s close proximity to available harvesting land reduces the costs of transporting raw material and manufactured goods

Workforce Education and Training• The Prince George economic structure consists of a higher

percentage of skilled workforce

• Training and education availability through the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and the College of New Caledonia (CNC)

• Creation of industry partnerships for training and development needs is the norm; for example, Canfor’s partnerships with CNC and UNBC for workforce development and training

• Presence of a large number of professional, scientific, and technical services companies that cater to the needs of the forestry industry










Industry at a Glance Prince George, British Columbia (BC) is a key centre for the delivery of city and regional health related services and lifelong education options. The growing economy will prosper as the city supports a diverse population, provides public services and creates opportunity for skills training. An abundance of innovative organizations and high quality facilities in Prince George are providing valuable social support for the community and region through assets such as:

• The University Hospital of Northern BC

• Trades certificates and technical training

• Arts and Sciences post-secondary education programs

• BC Ambulance Service (BCAS)• St. John Ambulance service

and training

• The BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North

• The Prince George Native Friendship Centre

• Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation

• Kordyban Lodge • Prince George Regional

Highway Rescue

Fast Facts• The post-secondary education sector has directly contributed

$261 million to the city’s economy, translating to an economic impact of $395 million

• Northern Health’s operating budget for the 2015/2016 fiscal year was $779.3 million

• Northern Health is the largest employer in Prince George

• The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) is a leader in research and received $8.6 million in research funding in 2016

• UNBC has been one of Canada’s greenest employers for the sixth straight year. UNBC is also one of BC’s top 100 employers, recognized for outstanding contributions in work-life balance, ongoing educational opportunities and parental leave benefits.

• The College of New Caledonia (CNC) has begun work on a new $15 million Heavy Mechanical Trades Training facility. It will accommodate 251 existing full-time spaces and up to 48 new students. The project is expected to be completed in 2018

• The BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North (2012) and its supporting facility, the Kordyban Lodge (2013), represent an over $100M+ investment in healthcare infrastructure in Prince George

• The Kordyban Lodge draws more than 13,000 visitor days (patients and their family/friends) to the community each year and has an economic impact of more than $4 million annually

• School District No. 57, covering the boundaries of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, consists of 32 elementary schools, 8 secondary schools, and 1 centre for learning with an annual budget of just over $145 million

Competitive AdvantagesHealthcare, Social Assistance and Education support to Prince George and Northern BC• Northern Health is responsible for the delivery of healthcare

services across northern British Columbia and has more than two dozen acute care facilities, 14 long term care facilities, public health units and offices providing specialized services

• Northern Health Connections provides patients with transportation options for out-of-town medical appointments in northern BC and Vancouver

• The head office for Northern Health is located in Prince George

• The high quality of education and health services helps draw the investment and talent of entrepreneurs and industries to the city and region

• Prince George features a younger population than the provincial average that is attracted to education and skills training in the north, with 31.1% under the age of 25 (BC average: 26.6%)

HEALTHCARE, SOCIAL ASSISTANCEAND EDUCATIONSector Profile

Industry ResourcesBC Cancer Agency Centre for the North www.bccancer.bc.ca

BC Emergency Health Service www.bcehs.ca

College of New Caledonia www.cnc.bc.ca

Northern Health www.northernhealth.ca

Prince George Native Friendship Centre www.pgnfc.com

Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation www.spiritofthenorth.ca

St. John Ambulance www.sja.ca

University of Northern British Columbia www.unbc.ca

Business Opportunities • Care homes for seniors• Dental clinics• Physiotherapy service• Chiropractor services• Advanced medical services• Mental health counselling • Specialized physicians • Walk-in clinics

Sector Related Spending$570.7 million operating funding from the Ministry of Health, representing 73% of total revenues for Northern Health

$33 million proposed for the UNBC Bioenergy Project Phase 3

$8.6 million in research funding in 2016

Post-secondary education sector directly contributed $261 million to the City’s economy, translating to an economic impact of $395 million

Workforce, Education and Training• Northern Health employs more than 7,000 people, holding

approximately 4,000 full-time equivalent positions

• Prince George is home to the region’s only teaching hospital, the University Hospital of Northern BC

• Prince George features training for nursing, paramedics, dental hygienists, physiotherapists and family nurse practitioners through UNBC and CNC

• The distributed education focused Northern Medical Program welcomes 32 medical students every year from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC) to the UNBC campus in Prince George

• Prince George currently features a joint offering with UBC for a Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Engineering and offers a Master of Engineering in Integrated Wood Design program





How we can helpThe City of Prince George Economic Development Division can provide your company with contacts and information about major local and regional projects. We will help you build partnerships and find investment opportunities by:• Providing insight into major projects planned in the region through

our network and events• Facilitating attraction and retention of workforce




Competitive Advantages Support to Prince George and Northern BC• Chemical and specialty gas manufacturing in

Prince George supply products and solutions to the Pulp & Paper industry, resource-based sectors and construction

• Manufactured products have superior connectivity to regional and international markets through rail, air and two major highways that intersect at the heart of Prince George

• The highly skilled local workforce includes experienced millwrights, welders, and machinists with traditional fabrication skills, along with people trained in CNC (Computer Numerical Control) technology and innovative techniques

Fast Facts• 9,400 people in the Cariboo Development Region were

employed in manufacturing

• The six storey Wood Innovation and Design Centre (WIDC) was built at a cost of $25 million and is promoting secondary manufacturing of wood products

• There are approximately 3.1 million cubic meters of potential forest tenure available in northern BC for use as biomass for energy

• $6.92 billion in softwood lumber was exported by BC in 2016

• A rebate of up to 50% to a yearly maximum of $30,000 can be recovered for the cost of external business consulting projects through Northern Development Initiative Trust

• Manufacturing services support natural resource businesses and industries, such as mining and forestry

Industry at a Glance Manufacturing is one of the largest economic sectors in Prince George, British Columbia (BC) and part of a fully-developed supply chain for natural resource projects. The main manufacturing activities in the city are traditionally related to the forest industry; wood products and paper manufacturing. The manufacturing sector complements the growing mining, energy, and bioenergy industries in Prince George and has demand for the production of:

• Metal products• Industrial chemicals• Pulp & Paper• Pellets and biomass material• Custom and specialized

fabrication products

• Plastic goods• Machinery and equipment

repairs or refurbishment• 3D design and prototype for

Computer Numerical Control manufacturing

MANUFACTURINGSector Profile

Industry Resources Canada China Business Council www.ccbc.com

Canadian Trade www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca Commissioner Service

Export Development Canada www.edc.ca

Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters bc.cme-mec.ca

Industry Training Authority www.itabc.ca

Northern Development www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca Initiative Trust

Business Opportunities • Proximity to long-term and major projects in the region• Growing opportunity within a stable manufacturing sector

base • Access to high-quality materials and skilled workforce • A stable business and political environment complemented by

low business costs and a high quality supply chain• Emerging markets in China, India and Brazil due to a rapid

expansion in the middle class• Rising energy costs compelling manufacturing operations to

move closer to key markets

Manufacturing Related Projects$130 million for the proposed Giscome lime processing facility and quarrying project located within 30 km of Prince George

$230 billion proposed for resource-related projects in northern BC

Workforce, Education and Training• The College of New Caledonia provides Red Seal trades

training in welding, machining, millwrighting, carpentry, power engineering and more

• The College of New Caledonia offers one of the lowest tuition rates in BC, enabling students and businesses to save thousands of dollars on the cost of education

• The University of Northern British Columbia, with annual enrollment over 3,500, is educating students in business, finance, human resources, marketing, engineering, computer

science and related higher education majors that can complement the manufacturing process

• The Canada Job Grant provides employers with investment funding to address workplace skills shortages for employees, covering up to two-thirds of the cost of training










Fast Facts• Gross mining revenues in BC rose to $8.7billion in 2016 from $7.7

billion in 2015.

• BC has the largest concentration of exploration companies and geoscience professionals anywhere in the world.

• More than half of Canada’s exploration and mining companies are based in BC.

• BC is Canada’s top producer of copper, producing 49% of all Canadian copper, total revenues were $1.8 billion in 2016. 8.4% of all Canadian gold is produced in BC with a increase in revenues to $651 million in 2016 from $519 million in 2015.

• The number of people employed in the mining sector in BC has more than doubled over the last 10 years from 14,700 to over 30,000.

• The BC mining industry is supported by both the BC government and federal government with incentives and fiscal policies that ensure the industry remains globally competitive.

• The BC mining industry will need more than 6,400 new workers over the next decade through expansion and replacement of labour.

• $60 million worth of contracts supported the construction of the Mt. Milligan copper and gold mine.

• Major mining development in 2016 for the region include: the Brucejack Project by Pretium Resources ($811 million), the KSM Project by Seabridge Gold ($5.3 billion), Kemess Underground Project by Aurico Metals (est. $750 million), and Conuma Coal’s reopening of Brule and Wolverine mines (370 jobs).

Industry at a Glance Prince George, British Columbia (BC) plays a crucial role as a supply and service hub for local and regional mines. Approximately 20% of northern BC’s employment in the mining sector is located in Prince George, with a similar percentage for the number of businesses focused primarily on mining or support activities for mining operations. Local and regional mining activities rely on the capabilities of Prince George companies to provide:

• Exploration• Drilling• Equipment rental• Financial services• Environmental assessment and

preservation• Industrial fabricating and

manufacturing

• Transportation and warehousing

• Mine development and maintenance

• Professional and technical services

• Camp housing and supplies• Engineering and design services

Areas of Expertise Logistics Support to the Mining Sector of Northern BC • Access to road, rail, and air infrastructure to support the

multi-directional movement of raw and finished goods, heavy equipment and workforce

• Presence of a large number of construction, trucking, equipment rental, exploration, environmental assessment and parts supplier companies

• Close proximity to major operating mines, including Mt. Milligan, Gilbratar and coal mines in Tumbler Ridge

• The CN Intermodal Facility located in Prince George enables the movement of mining products to Port Metro Vancouver and the Port of Prince Rupert

• The Prince George International Airport enables an internationally mobile workforce and facilitates the movement of large cargo and heavy equipment

• Automotive maintenance and parts for heavy machinery

• Storage of parts and machinery

MININGSector Profile

Industry ResourcesAssociation for Mineral Exploration British Columbia www.amebc.ca

British Columbia Construction Association www.bccassn.com

Mining Association of British Columbia www.mining.bc.ca

Northern BC Mining www.northernbcmining.com

Northern Interior Mining Group www.nimg.ca

Mining Suppliers Association of BC www.miningsuppliersbc.ca

The Mining Association of British Columbia www.mining.bc.ca

Business Opportunities • Construction and mine development• Engineering and professional • Environmental impact assessment • Workforce, education and training• Transportation and logistics • Equipment rental, storage and maintenance

Mining Related Projects$1 billion worth of projects are underway in the region

$26.8 billion proposed during the next 3 years in the region

$130 million underway in Prince George

$2.6 billion proposed over the next 3-4 years in Prince George supply area

Workforce, Education and Training• Training and education availability through University of

Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and College of New Caledonia (CNC)

• Industry partnerships for training and development needs such as Mt. Milligan partnerships with CNC for workforce development and training

• Highly skilled workforce in close proximity to major mines in the region

• Professional and technical expertise which transitions effectively between industries










Fast Facts• Professional, scientific, and technical businesses employ 2,600

people in the Cariboo region

• The University of Northern British Columbia received $8.6 million in research funding in 2015/2016

• All five of Canada’s major banks have a substantial presence in the city

• Prince George enjoys the lowest corporate tax rate in Canada - the combined federal and regional tax rate currently sits at 26%

Industry at a Glance Prince George, British Columbia (BC) has diversified considerably over recent decades, developing into an economy that supplies services to a broad range of activities. Supporting the city’s primary and secondary sector growth, employment in professional, scientific and technical services has expanded considerably over the past five years to meet the local and regional needs:

• Architectural, engineering and specialized design services

• Legal advice and representation

• IT and computer services• Veterinary services

• Accounting, bookkeeping and payroll services

• Research and consulting services

• Advertising and photographic services

• Translation and interpretation services

Areas of Expertise Support to other sectors of Northern BC • Prince George is the service and supply centre for communities

across northern BC, and as such, there are many opportunities to compete for service offerings across a variety of sectors

• The professional, scientific, and technical sector in Canada is one of the fastest growing in production and employment, driven by stronger increases in monitoring and evaluation (M&E), information and communication technologies (ICT) investment, R&D spending, and business to business outsourcing services

• A number of head offices, such as Carrier Lumber; SpeeDee Office Products; Falcon Drilling; Geotech; and the BID Group of Companies, along with many regional offices, such as Spectra Energy; TransCanada; and Enbridge are located in Prince George

• Prince George’s expanded high-speed broadband, city-wide WiFi, and fibre optic network provides fast communications capabilities to businesses operating within the city

Sector Profile

PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL

Industry ResourcesBusiness Development Bank of Canada www.bdc.ca

Community Futures Fraser Fort George www.cfdc.bc.ca

Futurpreneur Canada www.futurpreneur.ca

Innovation Central Society www.innovationcentral.ca

Prince George Chamber of Commerce www.pgchamber.bc.ca

Startup PG www.startupprincegeorge.ca

Business Opportunities • Architectural services• Engineering and consulting services • Accounting, bookkeeping and payroll services• Workforce, education and training• Computer systems design• Legal advice and representation• Data Centres

Industry Related Projects$1 billion worth of mining projects are underway in the region

$6 billion of proposed energy related projects

Workforce, Education and Training• The proliferation of the number of students in business,

finance, human resources, marketing, engineering, computer science, and related higher education majors at University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and College of New Caledonia (CNC) will continue to make Prince George more competitive as the demand for a larger and more concentrated network of professionals increases

• There is an abundance of educated and knowledgeable professionals working in Prince George’s professional, scientific and technical services sector including: experts

in scientific research and development; architectural, engineering and related services; computer systems design; accounting; and legal services

• Prince George features a younger population than national and provincial averages, with 31.1% below the age of twenty-five years of age who will support future growth










Fast Facts• In 2015, the tourism industry in BC generated $15.7 billion in

revenue, a 5.3% increase over 2014 and a 37.3% increase from 2005.

• There are a total of 51 hotels, B&Bs and RV/camping spots in Prince George. Total rooms in hotels and motels equals over 2,150.

• On average, BC travel parties to northern BC stayed 3.8 nights and spent $83 per night during their trip; other Canadian travel parties stayed 5.0 nights and spent $104 per night; US travel parties stayed 4.7 nights and spent $163 per night; and other international travel parties stayed 9.3 nights and spent $83 per night.

• In 2015, 15.1 million overnight domestic visitors accounted for 80% of visitation and 64% of related spending; international travelers accounted for 20% and 36%, respectively.

• Overnight travellers who spent one or more nights in northern BC took part in a number of outdoor activities, including camping, boating, going to the beach, fishing, and hiking or backpacking.

• Most people travelled in northern BC during the peak summer months (July to September).

Industry at a Glance Prince George is the only community in northern BC that offers the amenities and benefits of a thriving city within minutes of beautiful, pristine forests. Hosting the 2015 Canada Winter Games, which was the largest multi-sport event ever held in northern British Columbia, has created an emerging profile for the city as an ideal location to host major sporting events. The city also provides capacity for large-scale meetings and conventions. Prince George offers urban and outdoor experiences to suit every tourist’s interests, whether they are passing through the city or staying for a few days:

• Four ski hills• Cross-country and

biathlon facility• Dozens of hiking and

biking trails• Seven golf courses• Northern Sports Centre• Fine and casual dining

• One indoor mall and six outdoor shopping facilities

• Specialty stores• Coldsnap Music Festival• Theatre Northwest and Judy

Russell Productions• El Shaddai Ranch:

Horseback riding

Competitive Advantages Four-Season Tourism Opportunities • Prince George is ideally situated in an area of BC that has four-

seasons and thousands of acres of wilderness as its private backyard. The city is also the cultural centre of the region. This combination sets the stage for tourism operators to create packages that can be offered year-round.

Experience Hosting Major Sporting Events • Prince George is a leader in sport venues. $20 million in capital

updates were made to facilities for the 2015 Canada Winter Games.

• Tabor Mountain, Otway and Kin 1 saw the largest improvements for the 2015 Canada Winter Games; each venue now has the ability to host national and international events. The city’s other premiere venues include the 400 m outdoor ice oval, the 6,000 seat CN Centre Arena and the Aquatic Centre with a 10 m high diving tower.

• The Northern Sports Centre is a fit for many events with its versatile gymnasia, indoor running track and artificial turf field.

• Upgrades made for the 2015 Canada Winter Games have assisted Prince George in attracting the 2019 World Para-Nordic Skiing Championships and the 2022 BC Summer Games.

Sector ProfileTOURISM, CULTURE AND INFORMATION

Industry ResourcesTourism PG www.tourismpg.com

Northern BC Tourism www.travelnbc.com

Destination BC www.destinationbc.com

Business Opportunities • Tour operators• Aboriginal tourism• Entrepreneurialism• Planning and management services• Event delivery• Catering and hospitality • Marketing and media

Industry Related Breakdown• In 2015, transportation, accommodation & food services generated

nearly two-thirds of total tourism revenues, while retail services accounted for more than a quarter of revenues.

• In 2016, there were 18,938 tourism-related businesses in operation in BC, an increase of +1.4% over 2014. 12.8% of these businesses were located in northern BC.

• Residents of BC make up the largest share of overnight visitation (65%) and spending (47%) in northern BC.


• The Prince George Business Directory is a free and easy to use on-line searchable database that includes businesses with a Prince George business license operating in all sectors of the economy.


• The Supply Chain Connector is an online procurement database that allows major industry, communities and government to quick-ly locate northern BC-based businesses to help them build major projects. The database is easy and free to use.

Capacity for Large Conventions and Intimate Meetings• Approximately 66,000 square feet of meeting and convention

space is available in Prince George.

• The Prince George Conference and Civic Centre (PGCCC) features 40,000 square feet of flexible space and has a reputation for exceptional service. The PGCCC hosts an average of 500 events each year with over 150,000 attendees.

• Total accommodation space in Prince George, including B&Bs, campgrounds, hotels and motels, totals 2,150 and 807 rooms are located in the downtown, close to the PGCCC and other conference venues. The number of hotel rooms will increase to 2,303 once construction of the Courtyard Marriott and Best Western is complete.

• In 2016, Prince George average daily room rates of $126

were lower than the provincial average of $153, making the city an economical place for conferences and meetings to be arranged.

Workforce and Training• The tourism industry in British Columbia employed 127,700

people in 2015, a 1.2% increase over 2014 and a 16% increase since 2005.

• In 2015, the tourism industry in northern BC was comprised of 1,180 businesses and employed 6,500 people.

• In the lead up to the 2015 Canada Winter Games, Northern BC Tourism, through a partnership with Destination BC, offered WorldHost training for up to 7,000 people in northern BC with a distinct focus on Prince George businesses.






Industry at a Glance Prince George, British Columbia (BC) is strategically located to provide exchange to global destinations due to its superior transportation connectivity via road, air, rail and marine infrastructure. The thriving local economy places the city in the unique position of supporting new growth in resource based projects and exploration, while providing goods and services to a broad range of sectors. This geographic advantage has positioned Prince George to service existing and future industries, including:

• Forestry and pulp & paper• Energy and bioenergy • Construction• Couriers and postal service

• Mining and exploration• Retail and wholesale inventory

and trade• Tourism and recreation• Emergency Response

Competitive AdvantagesLogistics Support to Resource Sector of Northern BC • The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will invest

$894 million in infrastructure projects in 2016/2017

• BC’s exports have benefited from the Asia Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, which focuses on transportation infrastructure development

• The CN Rail Intermodal and Distribution facility in Prince George enhances the city’s strategic position as a transportation centre by allowing for in-park movement of containerized products for further export via ports in Prince Rupert and Vancouver

• There are nine industrial parks in Prince George including light, intermediate and heavy use serviced and industrial park sites which can be modified to suit and are all reachable within a 45 minute drive

• Prince George provides excellent warehousing facilities to support all types of industries including: transportation depots, truck terminals, warehousing & storage, freight forwarding, manufacturing and wholesale activities, as well as specific retail and other supply activities

• The Prince George Global Logistics Park, ideally located for both domestic and international investors, features 860 hectares (2,125 acres) of land divided into variable parcel sizes for industrial use. There are currently 19 light industrial lots varying in price, as well as a large undeveloped greenfield surrounding the Prince George International Airport

Photo Credit: Prince George International Airport

Fast Facts• $460 million has been invested to improve Highway 97 &

Highway 16

• The Prince George International Airport (YXS) received over 460,000 passengers in 2016, up 18% since 2010

• YXS offers common fuel storage to support transpacific refueling and has completed a 25,000 sq. ft. cargo warehouse to support ground handling services

• CN Rail has 84,000 square feet of warehouse space with 15 acres of outside storage

• The Prince Rupert Port Authority is planning to quadruple annual cargo capacity at the Fairview Container Terminal with Phase 2 of its development plan

• 4,000 people were employed in Transportation and Warehousing in 2016

• Prince George based Northern Spirit Transportation designed a highly customized shuttle to transport employees and contractors safely to the Mt. Milligan Mine

TRANSPORTATION AND WAREHOUSINGSector Profile

Industry ResourcesAssociation of School Transportation www.astsbc.org Services of BC

BC Trucking Association www.bctrucking.com

British Columbia Ministry of www.gov.bc.ca/tran/ Transportation and Highways

Transport Canada www.tc.gc.ca

WorkSafeBC www.worksafebc.com

Business Opportunities • Transportation depots• Truck terminals• Warehousing and storage• Freight forwarding• Retail and supply support

Sector Related Projects$382 million is proposed for the Prince George Global Logistics Park

$200 million in 4-laning improvements are underway on Highway 97

Workforce, Education and Training• The College of New Caledonia (CNC) offers trades training

programs in heavy duty/commercial transport mechanics, automotive technician, and mobile crane operators among others

• The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) provides higher education in areas such as inventory management, warehouse management, and logistical related programs










Photo Credit: Prince George International Airport

City of Prince George - Economic Development

1100 Patricia Blvd. | Prince George, British Columbia, Canada V2L 3V9

Tel. 250.561.7633

www.investprincegeorge.ca

Documents

SECTOR PROFILES - Prince George and... · quarter of 2016 • In BC, 73% of major projects are planned in Northern BC at an estimated value of $238 billion • Canada’s Construction