Provincial Nominee Program extended to 2024

Last week, Merritt’s first provincial nominee business opened their doors.

The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot is focused on attracting entrepreneurs from around the world to establish businesses in regional communities. This will help meet the communities’ economic development needs and encourage investments outside urban areas.

The pilot program was set to expire this Spring, but the BC Government has now announced the program will be extended through March 2024.

“We’re looking forward to continuing to participate because we’re really starting to see the success of the program, and we have lots in the queue,” said Merritt’s Economic Development Manager Will George.

“Out of the all the municipalities in BC, we’re still one of the top for inquiries for individual coming to the community. We’re sitting around 14 letters of referral and we continue to receive those inquires each day from business looking to come for an exploratory visit,” added George.

The 14 businesses that have received a letter of referral from the City are working to receive provincial approval before returning to Merritt to open up shop.