News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
A federal investment of $917,050 through the Green Municipal Fund has provided the City of Kelowna with $20,450 to explore the possibility of replacing the outdated mechanical system at Station 1 Firehall with a geoexchange heat pump system.
Brothers Mike and Chris Koutsantonis are thrilled to welcome customers back for a brand-new dining experience at the Olympia Greek Taverna, which is getting ready for its grand reopening in Rutland on February 24.
The BC Conservatives have announced Kristina Loewen, a longtime Kelowna real estate professional, as their candidate for the Kelowna Centre riding MLA position.
The Central Okanagan Foundation is contributing an additional $50,000 to the Central Okanagan Rent Bank to support an initiative that assists individuals in avoiding homelessness as demand soars.
BC Lottery Corporation, Tolko Industries, First Nations Finance Authority, QHR Technologies and Okanagan College, have all made it to the list of top 125 BC employers.
Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing (AEM) will be able to distribute its specialized mission communication products across Africa through a distribution agreement it reached with Safomar Technologies, a company based in South Africa. Among these items are the following: AS350/H125 avionics and switch consoles; P139-HD digital audio system; loudspeaker systems; mission radios, both panel-mount and remote; specialized audio accessories; caution and warning panels; and mission radios.
Creative Okanagan has opened the Central Okanagan Music Venue Database to the public to help understand the venue landscape which includes Okanagan community details that support a quality experience for local and touring artists, promoters, funders and investors.
STEP Place, a 60-unit tiny house project near the Rail Trail encampment, will soon open its doors at 759 Crowley Ave, according to BC Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon. The project is a part of the HEARTH program, which is run by the provincial government.
Patrick Kerr Holdings, a Langley development company, has submitted an application to the City of Kelowna for rezoning and a development permit for a project named Mills Road Towns. The project is planned to be located between 175 and 205 Mills Rd., to the north of Highway 33.
The Okanagan Basin Water Board claims that the recent federal funding announcement regarding invasive mussels is insufficient, despite Fisheries and Oceans Canada announcing $8.75 million over five years as part of the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund.
A 40-story tower with 308 rental units on floors 8–29 and 154 condos on floors 11–40 is proposed by Mission Group adjacent to the downtown UBCO tower.
The 2024 Eco Speaker Series, “Energy Efficiency for Homes, Businesses & Rebates at a Glance,” will be presented by FortisBC at the Kelowna Yacht Club on February 27.
A collaboration has been announced between Insure Wealth Group and IWG Corporate Services to provide businesses with services that aid in their growth, development, and succession planning.
KAMLOOPS
The Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union (TRUSU) has announced plans to construct a new building on campus with surplus funds, citing an increase in member engagement.
A new Taco Time location is set to open in June at the Orchards Walk, 3200 Valleyview Dr. in Kamloops.
A one-year contract extension with E-Comm 911 for answering services through the Regional District of Central Okanagan has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. Over the next year, the regional district will pay over $325,000 for the service, with an anticipated longer-term agreement.
Sun Peaks Resort has been selected as one of the top contenders in the Mackenzie Top Peak competition, vying for a $100,000 reward for a sustainability initiative.
The search for architects and builders to construct the $359 million cancer centre at Royal Inland Hospital has been launched by BC Cancer. After determining which teams to invite to participate in the request for proposals (RFP) stage, Interior Health and BC Cancer will shortlist up to three proponents, and then choose which team to lead the project’s design and construction.
The smallest library of the Thompson-Nicola Regional Library at Aberdeen Mall near the food court is proving to be very popular among residents of southwest Kamloops.
Eddies European Bistro will be closing as of March 2nd.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
People are invited to meet with local tourism businesses at the 7th Annual TRUE Penticton Tourism Expo on April 7 at the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre to find out more about what Penticton could offer to tourists.
The Naramata OAP Friendship Club will be the site of a public meeting by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen on February 25th to discuss the draft budget for the year 2024.
Donna Schellenberg and her family donated more than $34,000 to the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation. This sum was taken from an endowment fund that Harold and Donna set up ten years ago.
The South Okanagan Children’s Charity was given over $7,000 by Andrew Sheret Ltd. of Penticton. This money will be used to help families who have children with medical needs.
The Rock Creek Fall Fair is thrilled to begin its yearly 50/50 fundraiser, offering participants the chance to win up to $45K while helping to raise money to fund the event and maintain the Fair Association’s lands and buildings.
A permit for a five-story, forty-eight unit apartment building at 286 Rigsby Street, situated between Westminster Ave West and Wade Ave West, has been approved by the Penticton City Council. The proposed development will feature racked bicycle parking for ten bicycles and secure storage for twenty-one bicycles, all of which are EV-ready.
The OSNS Child & Youth Development Centre will be supported by Juliana Buitenhuis and Gillian Cogill‘s “Foolish Pairings”, a creative fundraiser at Okanagan College on March 10 that combines wine with junk food.
SALMON ARM
David Belling
David Belling is starting a new position as Head Golf Professional at Salmon Arm Golf Club.
Salmon Arm BMO is proud to be celebrating 50 years of service to the community!
The Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Business event is set to take place at the Wildwood Flower Emporium on March 12th.
Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest member, KDB Excavating.
VERNON
Graham Cooper, president of the Vernon Tennis Association, has been presented with a Presidents’ Award by Sport BC.
Karla Shepherd and Danielle Harris have joined RE/MAX Vernon Salt Fowler.
Martin Friedrich and Harriet Gutang have been appointed as the new executive director and operations manager, respectively, of the Vernon & District Immigrant & Community Services Society.
A special Greater Vernon Advisory Committee meeting will consider a $1 million commitment for the Vernon Cultural Centre. The committee is deliberating on the schematic and design developments for the $41.9 million project that the Vernon Cultural Centre requests direction from the board.
The Sovereign Lake Nordic Club (SLNC) generates $5.2 million in economic impact for British Columbia each year from club operations and related tourism, according to a study done by Lions Gate Consulting.
The first sale of 2024 by the Vernon Friends of the Library will be held at the Vernon ORL meeting room on February 23 and 24 in order to raise funds for library programming.
SUMMERLAND
Wildfire Risk Reduction (WRR) work continues through the Summerland Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP). They will be very active in the 100 hectare area of 17A/17B/17C (just east of McLennan Road) which is within the Districts boundary to the west of Summerland on Crown Land.
Haywire Winery is now offering the Haywire Certified Local program, which provides benefits and complimentary flash tastings to members, as well as discounts at Summerland Waterfront Resort, Shaughnessy’s Cove restaurant and Zias Stonehouse Restaurant.
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