Fort St. John is Powering Possibility

BCBusiness + City of Fort St. John

Credit: City of Fort St. John

Vibrant, energetic and ambitious, Fort St. John is fueling growth in northern BC, and you are invited to see what is possible.

Fort St. John is a hub in the Peace River Region, an area of progress, growth and opportunity. Economic activity has spurred the region’s development for years, and with low business tax rates and economic incentives, the opportunities just keep growing.

Work is plentiful in several sectors. In 2019, $8.9 billion in energy exports were produced in the northeast. The Peace River Region is home to 20,000 drilled wells, including some in North America’s largest gas fields. Ninety percent of BC’s grain production occurs there, along with 38% of BC’s hydroelectric power. Every year, Peace River Region sees 300,000 tourists.

Recreation and daily living

City of Fort St. JohnBut it’s not just all work and no play in Fort St. John. The young, adventurous community enjoys the great outdoors, festivals and world-class amenities during 304 sunny days each year. Four distinct seasons mean a huge variety of activities, including long summer days by the lake and crisp, bluebird winters perfect for hitting the ski trails. The community’s passionate residents support a robust local arts scene and endless entertainment opportunities. And with the seventh-highest median household income in Canada and a 70.3% employment rate, residents can afford to live their best lives.

Fort St. John was built on the oil and gas industry, mining operations, forestry and agriculture. That’s why it is the backbone of stable employment, which includes growing opportunities in retail and service. Nearly 7,500 residents have earned post-secondary education, and that number continues to grow thanks to two post-secondary institutions in the city.

Two major highways and an airport offering under-two-hour flights to Vancouver, Calgary and Prince George ensure residents are well-connected, and established shipping and rail routes enable a steady supply of goods.

Investment in Fort St. John

City of Fort St. JohnFort St. John has several important investment opportunities underway or on the near horizon, including a downtown revitalization project spurred by the city’s growth. The project involves the 100 Street Corridor project, which continues to replace underground infrastructure along the street and improve above-ground spaces, and initiatives in the Downtown Action Plan that will ensure the social, economic and cultural heart of the community thrive.

In 2023, the community will open a new RCMP detachment with energy performance targets in building design, including net-zero energy and Passive House construction. Centennial Park Festival Plaza, a new open-air concept with a 300-person capacity, was designed to meet the needs of the city’s expanding arts, culture and music scene, and includes locally designed art features.

Recent private investments and opportunities include the Site C generating station on the Peace River, which will provide clean electricity for over 100 years. It is scheduled for service in 2024. LNG – NEBC will supply natural gas for the recently announced LNG Canada facility in Kitimat, among others, via 40-year export licenses for extended, long-term growth.

City of Fort St. JohnHousing, commercial and industrial developments are also set to transform the city into the future. These include a 600-acre, mixed-use, master-planned community called Parkwood and the Surerus Industrial Park—a 90-acre industrial subdivision with easy highway access.

Private investments also include the Landing, a multi-phase retail development anchored by a 126,000 sq. ft. (11,706 sq. m.) Canadian Tire store, and The Station, a 207-acre residential and commercial subdivision fronting the Alaska Highway.

Ready to explore what Fort St. John and the Peace River Region have to offer?

Visit | fortstjohn.ca