News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Chef Roger Sleiman, Executive Chef at Quails’ Gate Estate Winery, has been inducted into the 2025 BC Restaurant Hall of Fame.
Warren Everton, chief financial officer for West Kelowna, will be resigning from his position to take on a special assignment role for the city.
Dr. Avi Kopstick, a pediatrician from Texas, is set to start working at Kelowna General Hospital next month.
Old Vines Restaurant at Quails’ Gate Winery is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
The City of Kelowna is teaming up with Troika Developments to launch two new affordable housing initiatives aimed at middle-income families on City-owned land in Glenmore and Rutland.
Sharon Bond-Hogg
Sharon Bond-Hogg, MBA, Co-Founder & CEO of Kekuli Cafe Properties Inc Indigenous, has been recognized as the Business Woman of the Month by a Canadian Indigenous SME.
Christine Warmington has been recognized as the employee of the month at Okanagan Dodge, serving as the Finance Manager.
Patricia Ainslie steps down from her position as an active member of the Citizens for a New Performing Arts Centre (CNPAC) in Kelowna.
Colleen Nasholm has stepped down from her role as the Program and Events Coordinator at UDI Okanagan, with her resignation taking effect on July 24th.
BCNET has announced the appointment of Dr. John Chenoweth to the Board of Directors.
Nedco announced the opening of their new temporary branch in Kelowna at 883 McCurdy Place.
Edward’s No Frills has officially opened in West Kelowna, located at located at 26-2484 Main St.
KAST is teaming up with Accelerate Okanagan on the Market Diversification funding program. This initiative provides up to $10,000 in funding for small and medium-sized businesses in BC’s Southern Interior, aimed at lowering the costs associated with extra-provincial and international expansion.
BNA Brewing celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
The Kelowna Fire Department has partnered with FireSwarm Solutions Inc to trial cutting-edge drone technology aimed at enhancing early wildfire suppression and prevention efforts.
Bell Canada is set to launch six artificial intelligence data centres in British Columbia, aiming to establish the largest AI computer project in the country.
KAMLOOPS
Todd Stone
Todd Stone, the former MLA from Kamloops, has been appointed as the president and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration, based in B.C.
Sarah Koenig, trainer extraordinaire, has joined the Blue Mountain Solutions team.
Craig Mankey has joined the team at Elevation Technical Services as Bridge Design Technologist.
Dragana Perusinovic has been promoted to Principal at Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning.
BluEarth Renewables and shQUAQUash Energy Limited Partnership, an entity established by the member communities of the Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council (NNTC), announced that the quA-ymn Solar Project is now fully operational. On schedule and within budget, the initiative reached its commercial operations date on June 19.
The Kamloops Seniors Community Centre, located at Cottonwood Manor on the North Shore, could be renovated for $200,000, according to a Kamloops committee’s recommendation.
Dr. John Chenoweth
BCNET has announced the appointment of Dr. John Chenoweth to the Board of Directors.
A proposal for a 20-unit rental development has been submitted for the sites at 1774 and 1782 Parkcrest Ave. in Brocklehurst.
A $500-million AI data centre, which will be a modern and highly designed warehouse complex, has been approved for construction on the Upper Nicola Band reserve by an overwhelming majority of members.
In order to finance two capital projects, including the Kamloops Centre for the Arts, the Council adopted a pair of temporary borrowing bylaws during its meeting on Tuesday, July 15.
A new initiative to promote sustainable cinematography in the Thompson-Nicola region was recently announced by the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission. TNFC has made three electric generators (e-generators) available for lease to productions filming within the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, effective immediately.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional Library and the City of Kamloops are pleased to announce a creative partnership to include a library branch in the Dufferin neighbourhood of the future arena multiplex as part of the Build Kamloops program.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
Arcadia Designs Inc. announced that its 10-unit agritourism project in Oliver, has officially received Building Permit approval.
The Naramata Inn has reopened and is set to host the Savour Summer event, highlighting local wineries on July 17.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has launched a new survey about the operating hours of the Keremeos Transfer Station, which is responsible for garbage disposal. The poll will remain open until July 27.
More than $2,000 has been donated by the Rusty Nuts Car Club of Osoyoos to the Highway to Healing Support Society, a health charity that arranges travel assistance for rural families with sick children.
Council gave the go-ahead on July 15th for the enormous 10-year Airport Master Plan in Osoyoos, which comprises parking, 14 more bay hangars, an aviation fuel station, an extension of the taxi-way, tie-downs, on-site utilities, and restrooms.
SALMON ARM
Jeremy Sundin has been appointed as the next chief financial officer of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.
The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) announced the recipients of its 2025 Spring Funding Intake, which awarded $1,000,000 to 28 projects to improve and diversify the region’s economy and create or retain more than 800 jobs. Read on here. Applications for the ETSI-BC Fall Funding Intake can be submitted through the portal from September 9th to October 9th, 2025.
Economic development practitioners in municipal, First Nations, and other community contexts throughout the Southern Interior of BC will be offered a comprehensive AI training program by ETSI-BC beginning this fall. The program will last for six months.
The upcoming Southern Interior Regional Economic Summit (SIRES) will be held in Salmon Arm from November 3-5, 2025, and will be supported by a grant from ETSI-BC. The Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce will serve as the lead organization for the collaborative steering committee.
The ETSI-BC Board Executive for the coming year is has been announced: Paul Donald (Provincial Appointee), Board Chair (returning); Alan Harrison (Mayor of Salmon Arm), Vice-Chair (returning); Peggy DeVries (Provincial Appointee), Finance Committee Chair (returning) and Diana Lockwood (Mayor of Salmo), Executive Committee Member (returning). The following Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) Chairs will serve another year to advise the ETSI-BC Board on funding projects. The committees now include elected local and provincial authorities. Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff, Thompson-Okanagan Regional Advisory Committee Chair (returning). Salmo Mayor Diana Lockwood, Columbia-Kootenay Regional Advisory Committee Chair (returning).
VERNON
Cocine Wattie
Cocine Wattie is starting a new position as Economic Development Coordinator at the City of Vernon.
E.B. Horsman & Son celebrates its 125th anniversary.
TwinCon Enterprises Ltd. is pleased to deliver important civil infrastructure alongside Industra Construction Corporation at Kin Beach in Vernon, for the Regional District of North Okanagan’s Canoe Bay Pump Station Replacement Project.
A $307K development cost waiver was extended to an affordable housing project by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.
Freshslice Pizza celebrates the grand opening of its brand new location at at #6 3100 35th St, Vernon.
A new Urgent Primary Care Centre is set to be constructed at Silver Star Gateway Business Park by the Interior Health Authority, with an anticipated opening date of 2026.
The Okanagan Gondola, being developed by Ride North Okanagan, officially broke ground in the hills above Kalamalka Lake on July 10.
A brand new Quesada Burritos & Tacos has officially opened at 205 Tranquille Rd.
SUMMERLAND
Cat City Kennel will soon open at 9310 Milne Road, Summerland.
Red Seal chef Tim Wheeldon will be demonstrating Memphis-style smoked pork ribs and chicken at Dirty Laundry‘s Blues and BBQ night on July 31st.
Send your business announcements, news, celebrations or new hires HERE
