Merritt is located 271 Kilometres (168 miles) northeast of Vancouver in the heart of the Nicola Valley. With a population of approximately 8,000, and a trading area of approximately 15,000, Merritt is the commercial centre for the area.

The Nicola Valley has long been home to a number of First Nations who continue to call the area home. European pioneers searching for a trading route between the Coast and the Interior reached the area in the mid-1800s.

Right from the beginning, early settlers were attracted to the area because of its rich grasslands ideally suited for livestock (both forestry and ranching remains an important part of Merritt's economy).