With a major port city balanced by abundant nature, the Saint John Region has a proven track record of forward thinking and a strong determination for future growth.
STRATEGIC LOCATION + TIME ZONE ADVANTAGE
The Saint John Region is perfectly positioned on the Bay of Fundy and within driving distance of the Atlantic Provinces, Québec, Ontario, and the United States border.
Our strategic location is a global gateway offering an intermodal transportation and logistics hub — with a major port, airport, rail, and highway system running through the region.
Doing business here allows quick and easy access to markets in the United States and Mexico. Our time zone advantage and proximity to major markets make it easy to support global operations and serve clients in Europe and both the North American Eastern and Pacific Seaboards in the same business day.
SKILLED WORKFORCE
More than half our population has a university, college, or skilled trades degree or certification.
Saint John is home to the University of New Brunswick, NB Community College, and a range of private training facilities. Our region offers a steady pipeline of industrial talent and future workers, with institutions that are nimble and responsive—able to customize programs to meet the needs of new industrial investments where the scale requires it.
21.3% of our labour force works in manufacturing, trades, natural resources – the highest concentration of any region on the East Coast of Canada.
TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESS
In Saint John, your goods move with purpose. Port, rail, highway, and air—every mode for import and export is here and ready. With direct access to global markets, you’re not just connected. You’re in motion.
Large Scale Barge Facility
Spruce Lake Industrial Park is home to a large-scale barge facility, with a wide/heavy duty roadway that connects to Spruce Lake Park and has 1 km access to major highways.
Air Access
Daily flights connect Saint John Airport to major Canadian cities, with convenient passenger service for business travel. The airport’s strategic location and proximity to industrial parks create future potential for efficient cargo handling and expanded market access across North America.
Three Class-1 Railways
Saint John is uniquely served by three Class 1 railways: CN, CPKC, and CSX, offering direct connections to major markets across North America, allowing for reliable access for bulk, container, and specialized freight year-round.
Crane & Container Terminals
The Saint John Region is home to advanced port facilities, including a DP World container terminal with six Panamax cranes, LNG and chemical import terminals, oil and gasoline terminals, cold storage, and food-grade infrastructure. Dedicated dry bulk and potash export terminals support a wide range of global cargo needs.
Close Proximity to Highways
Direct links to Highway 1 and the national road network. Fast, dependable connections for freight and logistics, providing seamless movement between Saint John, the U.S. border, and major Canadian centres.
Established Networks
Connected to global markets across 500 ports. Strategic partnerships with major carriers and logistics networks give your business direct access to customers, suppliers, and opportunities around the world—all from a single, integrated hub.
AFFORDABILITY
Saint John offers one of the most cost-effective business environments on Canada’s east coast.
From competitive industrial land rates and low utility costs to streamlined permitting and lower property taxes, companies benefit from significant savings at every stage of growth. Affordable operating costs allow businesses to reinvest in innovation, expansion, and workforce development.
The region’s average industrial land and facility costs are consistently below national benchmarks, giving your business a clear financial advantage from day one.
QUALITY OF LIFE
Escape to the shore minutes from your office or home; life in the Saint John Region gives you the balance you need. And it’s all within 20 minutes.
Our beautiful, historic urban core offers the amenities of big-city living in a compact, walkable uptown which is home to boutiques, craft breweries, theatres, bars and restaurants. Water and trail activities are never far away with access to the Bay of Fundy and the river system surrounding our communities.
AIRPORT ACCESS
Saint John Airport (YSJ), just 18 km from the city core, offers regular flights to Toronto and Montreal.
CLIMATE
Temperate climate with average winter temperatures of −8.2 °C and summer temperatures around 25 °C.
POPULATION
Saint John is home to a growing population of 142,433 residents, creating a vibrant and dynamic community.
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
The average price for a single-family home is an affordable $300,000, offering excellent value for homebuyers.
