White Rock Economic Development
Overview
Located in the southern British Columbia, White Rock is an important economic center of the Surrey province.
Leading businesses and employers in White Rock are retail trade and services, including Hampton Inn & Suites, Metzger's Hardware, Semiahmoo Shopping Centre, and Del Norte Credit Union. Peace Arch Hospital, the 146-bed health facility, has been a major employer of White Rock since the 1950s.
Unemployment
Unemployment rate in White Rock is 5.1%, while employment rate has been decreasing with an average decline rate of 0.94% a year. The unique geographical position of the city makes the majority of White Rock residents commute to other municipalities (for example, to Vancouver) to work.
Tourism is another anchor sector of White Rock economy. The White Rock pier, the longest in Canada, draws over a million tourists to the city every year. The 470-meter long pier suffered during the 2018 storm; and local authorities, businesses and community made financial contribution to restoring the pier.
As of 2020, the key directions for White Rock’s economic development are diversifying economy, improving job opportunities, and encouraging private and public investment in local economy.