Merritt’s Tourism Manager spent time in Whistler selling the community as a destination to play and do business.

Will George says he was at the International Council of Shopping Centres convention where he was speaking with players in the retail, restaurant, agricultural and manufacturing fields.

“So we want to make sure that we’re at the table, we’re having conversations and we’re presenting out those areas for growth in the community, different shopping centres and business opportunities to make sure that we’re at the table and presenting out those opportunities. Make sure that people aren’t just looking at the large metropolises there, that Merritt is a place for growth and a place for business.”

George says people are often surprised by the affordability and the convenience of Merritt. “So often times people are familiar with Kamloops and Kelowna, the Okanagan area, but just weren’t aware of just how close Merritt is to the lower mainland and those markets in Kelowna, Kamloops, Calgary and Edmonton.”

“There’s lots of opportunities that we’re looking at that the business owners are excited about hearing. So the economic development action plan is nearing completion, we’re going through an official community plan review later at the end of this year so there’s lots of exciting changes that the city of Merritt council has put forward for changes and ensuring that Merritt is open for business.”

Merritt council also elected to save $8,400 by not renewing its Gold Country Membership. Councillors felt that money could be better spent elsewhere.It is however, looking to still be a part of the Geo-caching which is a large program that Gold Country manages and Councillor Kurt Christopherson wants to continue to pursue that opportunity. George says it remains in conversations to see if that can still continue.