News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KAMLOOPS
On September 29, the City of Kamloops will have its annual tax sale. The auction will feature dozens of properties that have three years’ worth of delinquent taxes. This sale is mandated by the Local Government Act and allows towns to recover funds from properties with such debt.
Residents are encouraged by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) to participate in impending trunk sales at the Chase Curling Club parking lot, located at 227 Wilson St., on October 4, and the North Thompson Sportsplex parking lot, located at 428 Murtle Cres., on October 5.
The inaugural Impromptu Book Festival will be held at the Old Federal Studios in downtown Kamloops from September 26 to 28.
The upcoming event in the business-oriented speaker series Marketplace Leaders, which will be held at the Sandman Signature Hotel on October 1, will feature insights from entrepreneur Leonard Buhler.
Aspen Planers has paused operations at its Merritt sawmill and planer facility for an indefinite time due to a log shortage and escalating prices.
SALMON ARM
A new portable digital radar sign has been installed by the District of Sicamous in right next to the Sicamous Dog Park, with funding provided by the Vision Zero grant program.
The city of Salmon Arm has announced intentions to increase its online services, allowing people to soon go paperless.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on September 10 to commemorate the reopening of a section of the Splatsin te Secwépemc / Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail along Mara Lake.
A $100,000 increase in expenditures has been approved by the Columbia Shuswap Regional District to enhance the accessibility of prominent Shuswap boat launches.to enhance the accessibility of prominent Shuswap boat launches.
VERNON
Arrowleaf Real Estate is set to host a forum this week regarding an 18-acre development in Vernon. The event will take place on September 23 at BNA Brewing Co., located at 1714 Kalamalka Lake Road.
Watkin Motors Ford, an auto dealership located on 27th Street in Vernon, is currently accepting donations of food items for the Vernon Salvation Army Food Bank.
Ian McKechnie has been appointed as the new Fire Chief of the Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department.
Aaron Stuart has been appointed as the District of Coldstream‘s new Director of Financial Administration.
The annual Fuel Good Day event of Armstrong Regional Co-op raises thousands of dollars for a variety of non-profit organizations, such as the North Okanagan Minor Hockey Association, BGC Cranbrook, Salmon Arm Legion, and Cops for Kids.
Iredale Architecture announced the completion of the Okanagan Indian Band Cultural Immersion School in Vernon.
KELOWNA
Geometrik Manufacturing Inc., located at 1449 Velocity Street, directly across from Kelowna International Airport, has been acquired by Armstrong World Industries, a company headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Wine Growers of British Columbia said that assistance for vineyards recovering from the 2024 crop-killing polar vortex has been extended for an additional year.
The City is collaborating with the Housing Okanagan Foundation, a non-profit developer, to construct the middle-income earners’ project at 1428 St. Paul St., which will be constructed using mass timber. Development permit and variance applications have been submitted for the property.
Okanagan College has implemented the OC Trades Network, an online mentorship platform that provides apprenticeship and trades students with personalized assistance as they build careers in the skilled trades.
The site of the TD Canada Trust branch at 1950 Harvey Avenue will be replaced by a Chipotle Mexican Grill next year.
Kelowna International Airport‘s flight network expanded by 16 per cent in 2025 as airlines added more than 2,000 flights.
Co-owned by Leanne Richardson and Hallie Hamilton, Chomp Cookie Co. has officially opened at #3-470 Banks Road in Kelowna.
The new youth recovery centre, a joint venture between the City of Kelowna, Bridge Youth and Family Services Society, and the Hall Family Foundation—which has funded the project with around $6 million—has formally begun construction along Valley Road North in Glenmore.
Following a double gold medal victory at the 2025 World Spirits Awards in Germany, Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery is preparing for its annual Laird of Fintry whisky lottery, which is scheduled to take place on September 23.
Bernard Avenue’s Salt and Brick, which has been open for nearly eight years, will close its doors on October 5.
The 2025 Okanagan Feast of Fields was held at Luckhurst Farm & Distillery in Kelowna. The event was organized by Farm Folk/City Folk, the oldest and largest non-profit organization committed to food and agriculture in British Columbia.
The Regional District Central Okanagan has allocated $4 million from the Government of British Columbia Growing Communities Fund to assist the City of Kelowna and Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) in officially commencing construction on the Glenmore Protective Services Campus (GPSC), marking a significant advancement for emergency services in the area.
G&A ROBOT has officially launched at UBC Okanagan’s Engineering, Management, and Education Building.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
The City of Penticton has approved the zoning for a six-story housing project at 10 Galt Avenue, which was previously the Shielings Motel. The project will consist of 60 apartment units.
The Penticton council has approved the construction of a four-story complex at 594 Lakeshore Drive, replacing a single-family residence.
The South Okanagan’s 100 Women Who Care recently donated $5,600 to deserving local charities.
On Saturdays and Sundays in October, the well-liked Apple Bin Corn Maze will be back at the farm’s location near 9th Avenue and Maple Street and Okanagan Falls.
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