News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Kim Haakstad
Kim Haakstad has been appointed as the new president and chief executive officer of COFI.
Carole Taylor, a veteran journalist and politician, will discuss the advantages and obstacles of establishing a province-wide continuum of care alongside three top addiction experts at the Save Our Streets Communities Driving Change Forum on January 23. Dr. Pouya Azar, Head of Complex Pain Coastal Health Service at Vancouver Coastal Health, will join Taylor on the panel discussing a continuum of care for addictions and mental illnesses. Also participating are Dr. Nickie Mathew, an addiction and forensic psychiatrist, and Marshall Smith, Vice President of Rubicon Strategy and former Chief of Staff to the Premier of Alberta.
BC Construction Safety Alliance announced the launch of its new First Aid Assessment App to support construction employers in BC.
Nominations for the 11th annual Top 40 program, which recognizes business community leaders over the age of 40, are currently being accepted by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.
The City of Kelowna is inviting bids from non-profit childcare providers to manage three new facilities. This includes the redevelopment of the Parkinson Recreation Centre, Mission Activity Centre and Glenmore Activity Centre.
A day after announcing a 25-year agreement with IT company CGI, SkyAlyne, a joint venture between KF Aerospace of Kelowna and CAE of Montreal, signed a 25-year contract with Bluedrop Training & Simulation.
Clayton Andres
Clayton Andres has been named the Senior Sales Manager at Kelowna Hyundai.
City planners in Kelowna are backing a rezoning application that could lead to the establishment of a new cannabis shop at 2009 Enterprise Way, transitioning the area to a Core Area Mixed Use Retail Cannabis Sales zone.
The Kelowna Garden Club secured second place in the Communities in Bloom “Showcase Challenge.”
The campaign to prevent adolescent homelessness in the Okanagan Valley has received a $50,000 donation from Dan Martell, an influencer, author, and business coach located in Kelowna.
City officials are currently considering plans for a six-story hotel along Harvey and a six-story apartment complex facing Saucier close to the Petro Can gas station.
Springfield LP and Empowered Development is in the process of obtaining development variance permits and general development licenses for the parcel of land located across from Orchard Park, on the corner of Dilworth Drive and Springfield Road. To further prevent traffic from entering an arterial route, the developer intends to move the primary drive aisle entrance from Dilworth Drive to the current cul-de-sac on Underhill Road.
Accent Inns was named the 2024 Canadian Tourism Awards’ Tourism Employer of the Year by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.
Frannie’s Coffee, originally from Princeton, has expanded to Kelowna, occupying the former Eurobean location at 1320 Water Street, next to the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort.
The Greater Westside Board of Trade is having a Coffee Social on January 28 at 8 am at TownPlace Suites by Marriott West Kelowna.
Kelowna Brewing Company has shut its doors after five years of operation at 975 Academy Way, close to UBC Okanagan.
Lake Country Brewing Co. has officially ceased operations as of December 29th.
The BC Hydro Peace Agriculture Compensation Fund is now accepting applications for its first intake of 2025.
Farmers are invited to apply for financial support via the Buy BC Partnership program. This initiative aims to assist producers, processors, and associations in enhancing food security and boosting sales, with a total funding pool of $2 million available.
As of December 31, pay rates for farm workers involved in produce picking saw an increase of approximately four percent.
On January 7, Wine Growers BC and Premier David Eby celebrated the launch of the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) program. This initiative is designed to regulate direct sales from B.C. wineries to consumers in Alberta, addressing key concerns in the industry.
Jan. 1 marked the “indefinite” closure of the Naramata Inn, which was located at 3625 1 Street.
The developer BlueGreen Architecture, located in Kelowna, is reapplying to the City of Kelowna for a construction permit for a 66-unit, six-story condominium complex at the intersection of Richter Street and Clement Avenue.
KAMLOOPS
Thompson Rivers University has received the green light from its board of governors to launch a new diploma program in computer networking and cybersecurity.
BC Hydro has chosen nine wind-energy projects, including the $500 million wind farm south of Kamloops, to receive 30-year electricity purchase agreements.
Findlay’s Vacuum and Sewing has closed its doors permanently after over 40 years in business, with Lee’s Music set to take over the location next spring.
The Underground Market‘s organizers, Stephanie Moore of Cowgirl Shet and Charlene LaCombe of Heavenly Body Bliss, are organizing more events in downtown Kamloops. This year’s event took place at 340 Victoria St.
North Shore UPCC is offering virtual medical appointments while they continue to recruit as a temporary solution to people seeking health care. After opening its doors in late November, North Shore UPCC became fully operational on December 10.
The Kamloops Heritage Railway Society has established a new Board of Directors and staff who are committed to reviving the #2141 “Spirit of Kamloops” steam locomotive and creating a world-class hospitality experience for generations to enjoy. In collaboration with the City of Kamloops, CN Rail, and many other valued partners, Kamloops Heritage Railway Society has begun the process of reactivating our historic train and planning for the future.
Brandy Gozda-Sekhon, the owner of a local McDonald’s franchise in Kamloops and Meritt, and her staff donated almost $2,000 worth of food to the two city food banks during the holiday season, according to a press release.
Kamloops council has given the green light to the initial three readings of a zoning amendment bylaw for a project at 2001, 2013, and 2019 Glenwood Dr. by A&T Developments. Additionally, the council has authorized the distribution of a notice of intent to consider a development variance permit. A new date for public submissions regarding the development variance permit will be announced following the approval from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Plans to establish up in Terrace have been shelved by hybrid vehicle maker Edison Motors in favour of a site far closer to their home base in Merritt in southern B.C.
The Pilates Tree, located at 503 Victoria Street, will host the “Off The Clock” event, formerly known as the Downtown Kamloops Social Mixer, on January 16.
The Kamloops Art Gallery will open its winter exhibitions on January 18.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
A newly refurbished tasting area marks the grand opening of Yellow Dog Brewing‘s Penticton site.
The Athens Creek Retirement Lodge in Penticton has been acquired by PARC Retirement Living, a BC-based organization.
The board has extended the four-day work week pilot project for another year because it has been so well-liked and successful in increasing employee productivity and retention for the majority of the workforce at the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.
Osoyoos Fire Rescue introduces its latest fire truck in a special ‘roll-in’ ceremony.
Osoyoos is considering a new requirement for short-term rentals to obtain business licenses, with a proposed fee of $750 as part of an upcoming pilot project.
The 100 Men Who Care and 100 Women Who Care philanthropic campaigns brought approximately $48,000 for the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen in 2024.
Funky Petals Flower Shop, co-owned by Ashley Lindquist and Gina de Rooswhich, has officially closed after three years of operation.
SALMON ARM
Adam Watson and Amber Nadeau have joined the team at Suzi’s Hair Design in Salmon Arm.
Members are invited to the Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce‘s January Business After Business event, which will take place at Still Food Bistro on January 14.
Riversong Guitars‘ Sicamous Factory has officially opened it doors.
Ambrosia Grill Taverna will soon open in Salmon Arm at 321 Alexander St NE.
The Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new member, HydroYield Solutions.
The Shuswap Association for Community Living (SACL) has secured a significant grant from SASCU Financial Group, enabling the organization to further develop its social enterprise and foster positive change within the community.
Missy MacKintosh, owner of MisMacK Clean Cosmetics in Salmon Arm, and her son Evan are making their entrance on Dragon’s Den with their Grit Kit, which will also benefit KidSport Canada.
The Shuswap Cardiac Society is gearing up for its inaugural Red Gala, a fundraising event set for March 1 at Chances Casino in Salmon Arm, aimed at supporting the T.O.R.C.H Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.
VERNON
Jeffrey McDonnell
Vernon’s Dr. Jeffrey McDonnell, a distinguished professor of hydrology at the University of Saskatchewan, has been appointed to the Order of Canada.
Book sales by Chad Soon and Don Klepp are available at the Artists’ Lounge Gallery and Gift Shop, a Silver Star retailer.
The Vernon Silver Star Quilters Autumn Sale generated $750 for various local organizations, benefiting three community groups: Cops For Kids, Salvation Army Kettle Campaign, and BGC-O (Boys and Girls Club – Okanagan).
The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is set to launch a new business support program aimed at providing business analysis and consultation to foster company growth, with the initiative expected to begin in 2025.
Groundbreaking for the extension of Vernon Christian School‘s nearly 50-year-old campus is scheduled for the summer of 2025.
The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee will decide later this month whether to support the Regional District of North Okanagan’s application for a $30,000 grant for a land and water quality impact assessment of the Coldstream Creek Watershed from Noble Canyon Road to Kalamalka Lake.
SilverStar Mountain Resort is set to host several outdoor races on January 11, 2025.
Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce welcomes new member, Habitat for Humanity Okanagan.
SUMMERLAND
Chantelle G. Meriam
Financial Advisor Chantelle G. Meriam on celebrating 19 years with Edward Jones.
This year, work is scheduled to start on the Parkdale Place Housing Society‘s low- and moderate-income senior housing project at 13609 Dickson Avenue, which will replace Legion Village.
Summerland has opened a new off-leash dog park at Peach Orchard Beach, featuring permanent fencing along the lakeshore.
Bread & Cheese Truck has officially opened in Summerland, located across from Giants Head Brewing on Victoria Rd N.
Critteraid Animal Sanctuary in Summerland plans to open a spay and neuter clinic to address the surplus of feral cats and kittens in need of care.
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