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Squamish ranks high in expected income growth

Magazine names this area one of better places to work in B.C.

 

Squamish didn’t break the top 10 of best places in B.C. to work,  but was third of 36 communities for income average expected to increase over the next five years in a ranking by Environics Analytics, a marketing analytics company.

The ranking, commissioned by B.C. Business magazine, places Squamish 12 of 36 in terms of best places to work, based on the community’s job market.

“That is still a pretty high ranking, but I think they are taking a regional approach to that,” said Mayor Patricia Heintzman.  

“The fact that you can live here and work in Vancouver and work in Whistler is part of factoring into that. Is that a great way for a community to analyze it? No, I think we have too many commuters, but I think they are looking at it from a commuting distance point of view.” 

Heintzman said Squamish needs more local jobs that keep people in the community. For her a best place to work includes, “a good average wage that is commensurate with the affordability of your housing stock and growth in the sectors that are sustainable.” 

Suzanne McCrimmon, executive director of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce, said the rankings should keep local businesses and organizations on their toes. 

“This again points to all hands on deck for business organizations such as the Squamish Chamber, the Downtown BIA, Community Futures and Startup Squamish to work in collaboration to ensure we represent the current business owners, we learn and listen to their stories on how to do business in Squamish, and then open the doors to encourage people to come and take a look at what we offer,” McCrimmon said.

In terms of the ranking as third in expected income average growth over the next five years, Heintzman said it is good to hear, but it’s not something she puts a lot of stock in.

“You have to take it for what it is, which is a very cursory look at hypothetical projections and a data analysis,” she said. 

“In terms of optimism or confidence in a community [these rankings] can be a positive thing, and messaging and marketing and that kind of thing, but I wouldn’t bet on it.” 

Only cities with more than 10,000 permanent residents were included in the rankings, and bedroom communities were excluded.

For more on the rankings and the methodology used, go to bcbusiness.ca.

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