Business Retention and Expansion

Economic development research shows existing businesses are responsible for most economic and employment growth in any community. They are businesses that have made investments in the community, contribute to the vibrancy and resiliency of the community, and provide employment and tax revenues that allow the community to grow and prosper.

Early in their term, Abbotsford City Council indicated through their 2022-2026 Strategic Plan that an updated Business Retention and Expansion Strategy was required for Abbotsford. A Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Strategy is generally considered to be one of the most effective economic development programs. This strategic approach focuses on working with existing businesses in the community and builds a trusted working relationship with them in order to support their continuing growth and future expansion plans.

View the Business Retention & Expansion Strategy

Abbotsford is home to a wide variety of unique businesses offering innovative products and services. The City’s Economic Development team would love the opportunity to visit your business to learn how we can help support your ongoing growth.  

Business Visits are a great opportunity to:

• Showcase your business, innovative new products, and services
• Discuss opportunities to help grow your business and industry
• Discuss obstacles effecting your business  
• Connect you with business support organizations and helpful resources

If you are interested in hosting a Business Visit or have further questions, please email econdev@abbotsford.ca  and a member of the Economic Development team will reach out and schedule a visit to your business. 

The Economic Development Table (the Table) is a network of organizations and other actors in Abbotsford who have a role, mandate and interest in local economic development. ​Its purpose is to build on collaborative work already taking place, increasing information sharing and identifying areas where we can work together.

Partners meet once per month, with additional ad-hoc communication​. Core partners share and collaborate between their respective organizations and the Table, and work to identify gaps and opportunities in the community.  

Partners:

Core partners include associations, not-for-profit organizations, government agencies and indigenous communities, including:

• Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce​;
• Abbotsford Downtown Business Association​;
• Business Development Bank of Canada
• City of Abbotsford's Economic Development Department​;
• Community Futures South Fraser​;
• Community Futures Stó:lō ​
• Fraser Valley Métis Association​;
• Fraser Valley Indo-Canadian Business Association;
• Leq'á:mel First Nation​;
• Màthxwi First Nation; 
• Rotary Club of Abbotsford-Sumas​;
• Semá:th First Nation;
• Tourism Abbotsford​;
• University of the Fraser Valley School of Business and Computing​

Working Groups

Working groups are chaired by a Table member and consist of core partners as well as additional external and internal partners. The group meets monthly. The City of Abbotsford's Economic Development Department acts as the Secretariat and assists members with creating an annual workplan.

Current Working Groups: Indigenous Businesses

The Indigenous Businesses Working Group works to address gaps in services, support and opportunities for Indigenous businesses in Abbotsford and surrounding areas and helps ensure that First Nations’ perspectives are represented in Economic Development matters.  ​