Business News Influencing Thompson Okanagan
KELOWNA
Arlene Janousek is starting a new position as a Project Manager at the City of Kelowna.
Arlene Janousek
Mark Grey has recently taken on the role of General Manager at Landmark Cinemas 8 Xtreme West Kelowna.
Austen McKean has joined the team at Kamloops Kia as Sales Specialist.
Sotheby’s International Realty Canada announced the opening of its new office in The Shores at Gyro Beach at 104-3477 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna. This new location will better serve clients across the Thompson Okanagan, Shuswap, and the Kootenay Rockies regions.
Sonia Jhas, a writer and mindset speaker, and Tommi Hanley, a life coach and mentor, will be speaking at a special wellness event on February 3 at Kelowna’s Rotary Centre for the Arts’ Mary Irwin Theatre.
Okanagan College is set to host the 65th Symposium of the Western Division of the Canadian Association of Geographers (WDCAG) at the Kelowna campus in BC from March 15-16, 2024.
Yeti Farm Creative Animation Studio in Kelowna has been acquired by Rick Mischel, an experienced animation producer and studio executive. The studio will now be known as “Artist Animation Studio.”
Rick Mischel
A new D Spot Dessert Cafe franchise has recently opened in downtown Kelowna, offering a selection of sweet treats at their location on 426 Bernard Ave.
The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission has recently added seven new members to its team. Among the new members are Carla Berrie, Vice-President of Revenue at Vitalis; Mark Burleigh, President of Northside Industries; Christina Ferreira, Owner of Impact Events; Chantel Popoff, former COO of The Valens Company; Robert Selby, General Manager of TigerCat Industries; Mike Wolf, Physician at Wolf Medical Clinic; and Sepideh Rezania, Owner of Unrooz Solutions. Janice Larson has been appointed as the committee chairperson for this year, with Sharon Hughes-Geekie serving as the vice-chairperson. James Calissi, Paula Quinn, and Angela Nagy are also part of the executive committee.
KF Aerospace has recently formed an exclusive dealership arrangement with Grob Aircraft SE, a renowned aerospace manufacturer based in Germany. This partnership will focus on serving the North American market. KF Aerospace has been given the responsibility of marketing, selling, and leasing Grob products and pilot training services in both Canada and the United States.
The Humphrey family has donated $1 million to Kelowna General Hospital’s Movement Disorder Clinic, which will allow the facility to enhance its capacity and broaden its service model for the benefit of patients with Parkinson’s disease.
The BC Tourism Sustainability Network offers tourism operators personalised support and resources regardless of sustainability expertise. The program pairs each business with an experienced advisor to guide its sustainability journey and will carefully assess the organization’s needs. Thus, businesses receive a customized sustainability roadmap with resource guides, videos, workshops, audits and funding information.
The BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative will accept Project Two: Micro-Grants to Support Sustainability and Climate Adaptation Plan Implementation applications starting January 29, 2024. Tourism businesses and non-profit organizations eligible under the Program Guidelines can receive micro-grant funding of up to $15,000 to implement a project or obtain a sustainability certification in this second project stream. Two new projects, Project Three and Project Four, are set to launch later this year. Project Three focuses on sustainability and climate adaptation data framework, while Project Four aims to promote community destination stewardship.
The Government of Canada remains committed to providing ongoing support to small businesses, enabling them to contribute to the strength and resilience of our communities through the provision of essential goods and services. Find out which Government Grants are available to small businesses here.
The contract currently held by GSL Holdings, which operates the 24-year-old Prospera Place multipurpose facility, expires in 2029. In light of this, the City of Kelowna has issued notice that it desires a new partner to oversee the facility.
KAMLOOPS
Lauchlan Fraser’s pioneering work in ecosystem reclamation at TRU will receive $575,000 in funding from Teck Highland Valley Copper.
The Thompson Regional Hospital District has initiated a new campaign to emphasize the importance of cancer care in the Thompson region and urge the government to expedite the construction timeline.
The District of Clearwater and Interior Health (IH) have received recognition for their collaborative efforts in enhancing healthcare in the community. Their project, “Shifting Advocacy to Action: Co-Creating Care with Clearwater,” has been honoured with the 2024 Leadership in Co-Creating Health with Communities award by Health Quality B.C.
From February 1st through the 10th, the Kamloops Museum will be exhibiting a performance dragon by the Kamloops Chinese Cultural Association, as well as other historical artifacts from the Kamloops Chinese community, in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year.
5Bean, Brynn’s Bakery, Hello Toast, Logjam Coffee, Mittz & Co, Nate’s Brew Bar, The London Creative, The Vic, Zaaz Eatery and Play will all have their hot chocolate offerings up for grabs at the first-ever YKA Hot Chocolate Festival, which takes place all through February.
The Big Little Science Centre in Kamloops is excited to announce the return of its monthly lecture series, taking place on the last Wednesday of each month until June.
Kamloops Chamber Social will be held at the Shark Club on Feb 7th from 5-7 pm. Complimentary for chamber members.
The Provincial Budget Address luncheon with MLA Todd Stone and MLA Peter Milobar hosted by the Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce will be held on February 23rd from 11-1 pm at the Delta Hotel Rivers room. Contact Chamber office for tickets.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
BCEDA is pleased to announce a three-year partnership with Penticton to host the annual BC Economic Summit. Penticton Lakeside Resort will host the 2024 Summit from May 6-9 on the waterfront.
The City of Penticton has moved the due date for property taxes up to the first business day in July.
The Penticton Trade & Convention Centre (PTCC) will host the Start Here Penticton Job Fair on March 20.
An affordable on-reserve rental housing complex has been constructed in collaboration between the Osoyoos Indian Band and BC Housing. The band will take full ownership and management of the building under its Wolf Creek Housing Society.
Teck Highland Valley Copper has donated $575,000 to Thompson Rivers University to fund ecological restoration studies in the Kamloops region and surrounding areas.
Nominations for Penticton Chamber Board Directors is now open! Nominate yourself or someone you believe would be a perfect fit by February 23, 2024.
Game Cave Video Games & Amusements’ new shop is now open at 2012 Main Street.
SALMON ARM
The 2024 Project Zero Incubator Program is accepting applications until February 26th.
The Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest members, Hummingbird Estrella Cleaning Services, BTR Lanscaping, Taylormade Wellness, Choose Refill, Hourspace on Fourth, Lakeside Manor, and 4AG Robotics.
Kursten Faller will be leading a workshop at the Innovation Centre Powered by SASCU on February 12 titled “Building Resiliency in the Face of Business Adversity – How to Harness the Power of Psychological Safety.”
On February 14th, DeMille’s Farm Market and Liquor Coop will host an exclusive Valentine’s Business Mixer where local vendors will present samples of their carefully crafted products.
Shuswap Community Foundation will deliver the $25 million BC Government Community Prosperity Fund, which focuses on poverty reduction and social inclusion. Application will be accepted from March 30 to April 30, 2024. From March 30 to April 30, 2024.
South Shuswap Rides, operated by the South Shuswap Transportation Society, is set to improve its service by acquiring a second electric vehicle. This expansion is made possible through a joint investment of $95,327 from the federal and local governments, along with the South Shuswap Transportation Society.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District has recently announced the promotion of Derek Sutherland to the position of General Manager, Community and Protective Services, and Ben Van Nostrand to the role of General Manager, Environmental and Utility Services.
VERNON
Tolko has been named the Chamber Champion by the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce.
Dirt Road Kings, COD Gone Wild, and DJ Lunchboxx will be performing at Saturday’s Vernon Winter Carnival SnowGlobe Concert at the Vernon Recreation Complex.
SC Carts, a local company specializing in low-speed electric vehicles, has partnered with the Vernon Golf and Country Club to offer golfers the convenience of driving directly from their homes to the course.
Kal Tire Place and Kin Race Track will host the Vernon’s Winter Carnival Balloon Glow on Friday, Feb. 2.
Bugaboos Bakery Cafe, owned by Frank Berkers, is now on the market for sale. The cafe is located at SilverStar Mountain Resort.
Vernon Insulation Solutions has joined the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce.
A new 20-unit affordable housing development will be built in Lumby at 1761 Glencaird St. Construction will soon begin on Cottonwood Place. This building will be the third in a campus of seniors’ housing operated by the Lumby and District Senior Citizens Housing Society.
SUMMERLAND
The Phase 2 homes at Lakehouse Summerland, located at 2920 Landry Crescent, have successfully completed all inspections by consultants and the city. Additional finishing touches are currently being applied before welcoming the new homeowners.
Summerland Rotary launched Round 2 of its 50/50 draw to raise $100,000 for the rebuilding of Rotary Beach‘s pier after a successful first round.
The Summerland council has given the green light to a hotel and apartment complex at the junction of Julia Street and Rosedale Avenue.
Business Examiner Staff
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