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From Sherbrooke it is possible in less than four hours of driving time
to reach a market of some 130 million consumers in the northeastern states
and several eastern Canadian provinces. These assets help rank the
Sherbrooke region in second place in all of Quebec's exporting regions.
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Concentration, Complementarity and Collaboration
Sherbrooke differs from all the other cities in the country because of
its exceptional concentration of universities and colleges, all
disciplines considered. Multilingual, Sherbrooke is also known for its
socioeconomic vitality and the spirit of cooperation that prevails in the
development of sectors of activity of choice.
Sherbrooke manifests itself five times over, with 20% of the population
attending higher education classes. With 60% of its economy linked to the
knowledge economy, Sherbrooke is advantageously positioned as an
integrated university city, among a club of a few selected cities around
the world.
An Exceptional Environment
Sherbrooke, the university city, is especially appealing because it
offers an exceptional quality of life, a unique bicultural history which
rubs off, and a first-rate living environment. Because of this, the city
attracts about 75% of its recruits from outside the region.
As a university city, Sherbrooke also constitutes a talent nursery. And
in the heart of the city, student life and energy profoundly affect the
tempo and pulse of Sherbrooke life.
Finally, Sherbrooke, the university city, presents a window of talent
that is open to the world. This spirit of openness to other cultures is
carried on daily through exportable training and in welcoming a growing
number of foreign entrepreneurs and students.
A Few Demographic and Economic Facts
The micro-electronics and information technologies, environment, health
and new materials sectors are all experiencing tremendous growth in
Sherbrooke. The industrial sector is also bustling and diversified: 18
sectors are represented in the area out of a possible total of 20.
The region also benefits from a pool of exceptionally qualified
manpower of which the rate of bilingualism in French and English is one of
the highest in Quebec (nearly 40% of the workforce speak both languages).
The students who attend the local colleges and universities represent a
plentiful source of part-time manpower, not counting the graduates who
contribute to increasing the manpower pool in a significant way each year.
A good example of integration of all these factors is found in the local
growth of the calling centre and communications industries that easily
recruit their part-time workforce from the region's student talent pool.
Regional Institutions
Ville de
Sherbrooke
Société du
développement économique de Sherbrooke (Greater
Sherbrooke Economic Development Corporation)
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