News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Will Davis
Will Davis has been appointed as the new president and CEO of the BC Electrical Association, effective October 1, 2024.
Dean Neufeld, General Manager of Kelowna Ready Mix Inc., has been appointed the new Chair of the Board of Directors of Concrete BC.
Allan Coyle, who served as the Okanagan College‘s Associate Vice President, External and Strategic Initiatives, for nearly 23 years (from 1998 to 2021), will be honoured with the Distinguished Service Award his accomplishments.
Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon has launched a province-wide 50/50 raffle campaign to support families with seriously ill children, with a fundraising target set at $250,000. The winner will collect half of this amount, while the rest will go directly to supporting the Family Rooms at Surrey Memorial Hospital, which provide a vital space for families to stay close to their children receiving urgent medical care.
Shawnee Love
Shawnee Love has joined our regional team as Director of Consulting – Human Resources at MNP Partners.
Securiguard Services Limited announced that it has been named an Excellence Awardee for The Queen’s University IRC Award for Best Learning & Development Strategy at the Canadian HR Awards 2024. This recognition highlights Securiguard’s ongoing commitment to fostering professional development and career growth for its employees.
CC Equipment Ltd is pleased to announce the expansion of its services to its new location at 1920 Old Okanagan Hwy #2120, Westbank.
Harris Auto Group acquired Mazda store in Kelowna, and has rebranded to Kelowna Mazda.
The Cannery Marketplace at Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort in Kelowna will be selling my Okanagan Watercolour Canvas Printed Totes exclusively.
Kelowna Council rezoned City-owned land at 4690 Hwy 97 N , located south of UBCO, for the development of a new regional transit operations and maintenance facility. The proposal is consistent with the City’s Transportation Master Plan which recognizes that investing in transit is critical to supporting the 2040 Official Community Plan and keeping Kelowna moving as the city’s population grows
The Art Lovers Gallery, located in the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort in Kelowna, has launched it’s newly remodeled space.
The Kelowna Downtown Library hosted the inaugural Town Hall Meeting of the OCCA Communities Association on October 6. The event was attended by more than 100 individuals who were given the chance to engage with candidates for the BC Provincial Election.
As the Central Okanagan Food Bank prepares for the holiday season, Bell Media Kelowna radio stations 99.9 Virgin Radio, MOVE 101.5, and AM 1150, will be collecting non-perishable food items, baby essentials, and cash on October 12th at the Orchard Plaza.
The Kelowna Airport YMCA Child Care Centre celebrates its one year anniversary.
BarBurrito Restaurants Inc. proudly expanded its presence by opening four new locations across Canada, including one in Kelowna, at Glen Park Village – 1940 Kane Rd.
Kelowna Council OK’d a development permit for a six-storey apartment building at the corner of Gordon Dr and Cameron Ave. The proposal, adjacent to Guisachan Village, includes 62 units and ground-floor commercial space.
The Annual General Meeting of the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) was held in Kelowna last week, during which CEO Shauna Harper assumed the position of Board Chair.
The Canadian Construction Association has added the following companies to its roster of Gold Seal Employers: Argus Properties Ltd., Avondale Construction Ltd Atlantic, Chandos Construction, CorWest Builders, and Wolverine Contracting and Engineering.
Coast Capital Savings is donating $25,000 to its partners at the Seniors Services Society of BC.
The BC Government has introduced a new micro-credential program at North Island College (NIC) aimed at assisting individuals in rural and Indigenous communities to develop essential skills for promoting economic growth in their areas.
The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) is seeking expressions of interest for new members to join the 2025 COEDC Advisory Committee. The Commission receives funding from and is accountable to the elected board of the Regional District of Central Okanagan, which includes representatives from the District of Peachland, City of West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, City of Kelowna, District of Lake Country, and the Central Okanagan Electoral Areas West and East.
Kelowna City Council preliminarily approved a rezoning of three lots at 1256, 1260, and 1270 Glenmore Dr. for a proposed six-storey rental apartment. Initial approval has also been given to rezoning a downtown highrise to a rental-only building. The proposed 40-storey tower is located at 1355 St Paul St.
KAMLOOPS
Patrick Ducharme has started working at Milestone Environmental Contracting Inc. as Sr. Superintendent.
Matt Eger assumes the role of Executive Director for the Western Canada Theatre in Kamloops.
Orion’s Silver Stream project in Kamloops, developed by Cedar Coast, has received the Award of Merit in the Industrial category at the 2024 Thompson Okanagan Commercial Building Awards!
Excel Personnel celebrates 32 years in business.
Propolis Cooperative Housing Society announced that the Affordable Housing Societies has invested $100,000 in Propolis Bonds.
Thompson Rivers University initiates search for new president following the resignation of Brett Fairbairn last year.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional Library (TNRL) marks a significant milestone as it turns 50 this fall! On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, the Paramount Theatre in Kamloops will host a special event, For the Love of Libraries, celebrating five decades of literacy, learning, and connection in the region.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
Nolan Balfe has officially taken on the role of Managing Partner and General Manager at Penticton Hyundai.
The Nature Trust of British Columbia, a prominent non-profit land conservation charity in the province, has successfully acquired and protected 11 hectares (27 acres) of vulnerable habitat in the Similkameen Valley.
Penticton Taste of Downtown, a celebration of local cuisine hosted by the Downtown Penticton Business Improvement Association (DPBIA), will be held from October 17 to October 20.
The Nest, a restaurant in Penticton, has announced that it will be temporarily closing for a rebranding and renovation project.
Following its announcement of their fundraising cooperation beer created by all eight breweries, Penticton will have its annual Beer Week from Oct. 4 to 14.
The 89-unit dorm-style structure on Railway Street at Okanagan College has received preliminary approval from the Penticton City Council for zoning revisions.
From October 1st through the 31st, Slackwater Brewing, Pasta Factory, Clancy’s, Orolo, and The Hub will be competing for the Martin Street Throwdown: Battle Caesar with their unique takes on the traditional Canadian cocktail.
The naming rights of the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton are currently up for bids.
SALMON ARM
Nicole Donnley, a powerhouse, entrepreneur and AI expert, who has transformed the way businesses operate, will be the featured speaker at the 2024 Business Forum on October 30, at the Song Sparrow Hall.
Goldfingers Beauty Salon has moved to 111 Lakeshore Drive.
The Salmon Arm Economic Development Society is hosting its first-ever Business Forum Pub Crawl following the 2024 Business Forum on October 30th.
Brooke Downs Vennard LLP will host the Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce Business after Business networking event on October 8th, 2024.
VERNON
On October 18, Kirkland in Vernon will perform with Sarah Vienna, president of Firm Foundations Romania, at a concert in the Canadian Reformed Church, located at 5600 MacDonald Road.
In an effort to provide more affordable housing for those with modest incomes, staff will look into giving the Co-op Housing Federation of BC five acres of Hesperia Lands, according to a notice of motion presented by mayor Victor Cumming and approved by the council on Monday.
Sko & Boot is opening on October 10th at 2904 30th Avenue downtown Vernon.
The City of Vernon has launched the fall 2024 intake for the Council Discretionary Grant programme, with applications due by October 31.
The Dancing With the Vernon Stars event which supports the North Okanagan Hospice Society was able to raise over $170,000.
SUMMERLAND
The Summerland-based firm Okanagan Speciality Fruits has announced that it has completed the last hurdle in selling its apple in the United States. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) gave their stamp of approval in 2021, and Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) both gave their stamp of approval earlier this year.
The District of Summerland will hold its yearly Halloween swim on October 26 at the Summerland Aquatic Centre.
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