On March 14, 2019, British Columbia has officially launched the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot. The 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. Over 30 communities have joined the pilot. To be eligible to participate, the community must have settlement and business supports in place to help newcomers successfully integrate. The pilot will be delivered for an initial two-year period. As of now, the following communities participate in the Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot:
- Barriere
- Burns Lake
- Castlegar and surrounding area
- Courtenay, Comox and the areas within Comox Valley Regional District
- Gibsons
- Kimberley
- Mackenzie
- Merritt
- Nelson
- Port Alberni
- Powell River
- Quesnel
- Rossland
- Sechelt
- Squamish
- Sunshine Coast Regional District
- Terrace
- Trail
- Tumbler Ridge
- Vernon
- Williams Lake
Additional communities will be added as they enroll.