Rural residents have a strong sense of community pride. Many families have roots in their communities. The communities are young, people have a choice of lifestyle, and bring new ideas and enthusiasm. There is also room for communities to grow. In the case of the Fraser Valley, rural areas are close to major markets.
Communities also provide good local markets for house-made goods and local businesses.
In the case of Vanderhoof, workshops provided by the Chamber of Commerce on small business are helpful. There are limited opportunities for young people looking to the future. Young people must leave their communities to pursue education and employment. This creates uncertainty for farmers in terms of the transition of their operations to the next generation. Growth is an important challenge looking ahead.