Surrey wins international recognition for business and agritech initiatives
The City of Surrey has won two 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), an acknowledgement the municipality says recognises its work in supporting business growth and strengthening the local economy.
The awards were announced in a city release and honour two distinct efforts: Innovation Boulevard, which received a silver award in the Postsecondary Education Partnership category, and the newly launched Surrey Agritech Strategy 2026, which took a bronze in the Innovative Economic Development category.
“The City of Surrey is leading the field of excellence in economic development with its Innovation Boulevard and Surrey Agritech Strategy initiatives,” said Nathan Ohle, president and CEO of the IEDC, in the release.
Innovation Boulevard is a partnership between the City of Surrey and Simon Fraser University, aimed at helping local businesses adopt and scale new technologies. According to the city, since 2025 the initiative has supported more than 250 businesses through training, industry events and applied projects. The program’s emphasis on linking industry with academic expertise reflects Surrey’s broader push to position itself as a knowledge and innovation hub in the Metro Vancouver region.
Launched in 2026, the Surrey Agritech Strategy focuses on innovation, collaboration and practical technology solutions for local farmers and food producers. The strategy was designed to help the city’s agricultural sector remain productive and resilient amid changing market and climate conditions, the city said in the release.
- Innovation Boulevard — silver award, Postsecondary Education Partnership; partnership with SFU; supported 250+ businesses since 2025.
- Surrey Agritech Strategy 2026 — bronze award, Innovative Economic Development; launched 2026 to aid farmers and producers.
- Recognition — awards from the IEDC highlight international attention on Surrey’s economic development work.
What the awards mean locally
Municipal leaders framed the awards as validation of long-term efforts to knit together government, post-secondary institutions and industry. Tyler Westover, Surrey’s director of business and government relations, said the initiatives are built on partnerships that provide “resources, expertise and technology” to local businesses and producers.
Those partnerships are significant for Surrey residents for several reasons. For entrepreneurs and small firms, Innovation Boulevard’s programming and connections can lower barriers to adopting new technologies, helping companies scale and remain competitive. For farmers and food producers, the Agritech Strategy aims to deliver practical solutions that may help with productivity and resilience—concerns that are increasingly urgent given rising input costs and shifting growing conditions on the Lower Mainland.
The awards also have civic and reputational value. International recognition can boost investor confidence and raise Surrey’s profile when firms and academic partners consider where to locate offices, research labs or pilot projects. That, in turn, could influence local employment opportunities and commercial development patterns.
| Initiative | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Innovation Boulevard | Silver | Postsecondary Education Partnership |
| Surrey Agritech Strategy 2026 | Bronze | Innovative Economic Development |
Mayor Brenda Locke said she was proud to see the city's work recognised on an international stage, noting the role of local entrepreneurs, farmers and partners in building new opportunities. The full quote in the city release emphasised community contributions behind the initiatives.
As Surrey continues to grow—both in population and economic scope—these awards underscore the municipality’s strategy of leveraging partnerships with universities and the private sector to address local challenges. For residents, the immediate effects may be subtle, but the longer-term implications could include stronger local supply chains, more technology-driven small businesses, and added momentum for Surrey’s evolving economic identity.
