Mark: Hi, it’s Mark Bossert from Top Local Lead Generation we’re talking about Squamish BC - a pretty amazing part of this province with Mr. Darren McCartney. Darren is a commercial realtor in Squamish. How you doing today Darren?

Darren: Doing great Mark, how are you?

Mark: I’m doing great! So what’s going on in beautiful Squamish in the business climate November 2014?

Darren: You know, it’s interesting, the last three of four years - very challenging years up here and we are starting to see pretty good signs of healthy recovery. We went through a time period where there was lots of vacancy, it didn’t matter what market segment you were looking at, there were businesses shutting down, there were land closures; just a lot of people struggling there for four or five years. But in the last, I’d say six to nine months in particular, we’re really seeing that turn up side down due to the weak market, very littles been developed in the commercial sector and most areas where there may have been 15% vacancy have tightened up so both retail downtown and industrial park vacancy has really tightened up and that’s a very healthy sign. Offices are dragging a little bit, but we’re really starting to see signs of new people getting confident and investing in business up here - so it’s exciting to see.

Mark: So what types of business are starting up in Squamish and are there any examples?

Darren: There are, historically we’ve always got this population of businesses serves local population - call it grocery stores, doctors, dentists, that kind of thing, that are really just the number of people drive the number of businesses that can survive. But we’re starting to see a few different areas where people are showing up right now with people moving down here and opening up businesses; we’ve got people who have moved here that have been commuting for a period of time opening up businesses; and then people who are finding it just too expensive in the lower mainland to do business and coming up here for affordability and lifestyle’s an added benefit. Some examples of a few businesses working on the Sea to Sky Business Park, we’ve had almost all new tenants and are pre-leasing there. We’ve got a new climbing gym opening up which is local people putting together a much needed facility that will service local population and tourists. They’ve got a facility opening next summer, they’ve signed a deal. I’ve got a martial arts guy out of Whistler, who has a very successful business in Whistler and he decided - hey why not Squamish - and he’s been starting into the market on a smaller basis in the last six months or a year and he’s ready to triple in size and leasing space.  Light industrial . . . I’ve got guys who are doing rock work everywhere from Pemberton, Whistler, Vancouver choosing to set up their light industrial business in Squamish - just did a deal last week on that. We’re seeing people from all over and even some of the home based business is needing to get out of their house and expand just because their businesses are starting to blossom and they need space. Really seeing it from all areas which is exciting and I think we’ll see more of it. I think as we start getting development going here and whatnot again from what we’re seeing, I think it’s just going to continue to unfold and gain some momentum. It’s an exciting thing to see unfold.

Mark: Awesome, so things are definitely heating up in Squamish in November 2014; probably going to continue that way for quite a while - would that be your read on it?

Darren: Absolutely, that’s what I feel right now. My phone’s ringing instead of me having to call people and it’s been that way for six months so I think we’re in the tip of the iceberg right now which is great.

Mark: Awesome. So we’ve been talking with Mr. Darren McCartney about Squamish, BC. It’s heating up over there - so give him a call. You can reach him at squamishcommercialproperty.com or call him 1-604-892-4875. Thanks a lot Darren

Darren: Thanks