Cariboo, British Columbia
The Cariboo region includes most of the northern interior of the province ranging from the Cariboo plateau to the Rocky Mountain ranges. The region is an area of vast landscapes and outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities. Many natural resource industries have head offices in this region where the landscape offers raw materials, and the infrastructure provides access to an adaptable labour force and international distribution chains. Mining, forestry, ranching, and agriculture are key economic drivers here, as are construction, retail, and professional services.
Regional Advantages
CONNECTED TO THE WORLD
With railways, highways, and airports nearby, the Cariboo region is a great home base, offering reliable and responsive connections worldwide.
URBAN & RURAL
With three main urban centres and a large rural population, the Cariboo region offers the benefits of a large community while still enjoying an idyllic rural lifestyle.
AFFORDABILITY
Inexpensive housing, relative to other mid-large urban centers, offers affordability advantages and ability to purchase homes in the region.
LIVEABILITY
Activities such as fishing, hiking, camping, snowmobiling and other winter sports provide a true four-season lifestyle.
Key Sectors
Agrifood, Seafood
& Food Processing
Clean Energy
Forestry
Critical
Minerals
Clean Tech
Agri Tech
Communities
Prince George, Quesnel, 100 Mile House and Williams Lake are the key cities that contribute to Cariboo’s population of 169,600 people. Resource-based industries play a strong role in the area’s economy. A strong economic community development team is supporting local economic growth and stability, working with First Nations, regional stakeholders, small business members and industry representatives.
Discover more facts and statistics about this region:
Economic Development Organizations
First Nations
Cariboo’s proximity to southern British Columbia has enabled growth in health care professional services, administration and manufacturing, while continuing to be based primarily in the natural resources sector. It includes the city of Prince George, which acts as a major service centre for the northern half of the province.
Development corporations— owned collectively by aligned First Nations or by individual First Nations— are the primary vehicles by which First Nations pursue and advocate for sustainable economic development in the region.
Economic Development Organizations
Regional Profile
Educational Institutions
The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) is a research-intensive public university with campuses across the Cariboo and Northern B.C. regions.
The College of New Caledonia is a comprehensive community college that delivers post-secondary training in health sciences, trades and technologies, business, university transfer, social services, and academic upgrading.
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has a campus in Williams Lake, bringing multiple career preparation, trades and technology training, and university transfer programs and credits to the region.
Connect With A Regional Expert
Regional experts can help familiarize you with the amenities, infrastructure, and opportunities in each region. They can introduce you to the economic development offices and industry associations that will support the integration of your business into the province.