Business and Industry Profile
Fort Nelson's Economic Profile Brochure (pdf format)
The Economy
The
Fort Nelson area has experienced dramatic growth
due to forest and petroleum industry expansions,
beginning 1985 and particularly since 1989. Offered
here are a wide variety of natural resources including
extensive forests, natural gas, oil, sulfur, and
developing agricultural land. One of the main
opportunities for present and future industrial
and economic development is the area's ability
to offer the services necessary to transport to
major markets and to produce goods here for worldwide
export. Most of the development and employment
opportunities lie in resource extraction but with
an increasing emphasis on the area's reputation
as a regional transportation and service centre.
Located in Fort Nelson is
North America's largest gas processing plant, Duke Energy; and one
of the leading plywood/lumber mills in British Columbia, Canadian Forest Products (Canfor) (formerly Slocan Group)
- Tackama Division. In 1995 Slocan constructed an oriented strand board
plant, Polar Board Division and the plant itself is the largest industrial
building of its kind in BC. Through its two operations, Canfor is Fort
Nelson's principal employer.
 Fort
Nelson's service industry is an integral and growing sector of the local
economy for two reasons. First, this sector is a major employer within
the area, and second, it provides essential services to the other sectors
of the economy including the petroleum, forestry, and mining industries.
Tourism is
also very important to the region and is a sector
with tremendous growth potential. The spectacular
scenery and abundance of wildlife are of global
significance and make Fort Nelson a 'world class'
destination for adventure tourism, fly-in fishing
and big game guide/outfitting. There are nine
provincial parks, recreation areas and campgrounds
within the Regional District including the renowned
'Liard Hot Springs'. The area is also home to
the Northern Rockies Protected Area that is gaining
distinction world wide..jpg)
The
region is a bustling centre for the accommodation and hospitality industry
and is well served through its hotels and motels, restaurants, as well
as several private campgrounds and prestigious new resorts. Under
construction is a new 100-room hotel.
Northern BC is becoming more and more attractive to film producers. For information on our region's beautiful locations, click here.
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