News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Crystal Bootsma has been appointed Director of Marketing and Communications for the Canadian Street Soccer Association.
Emily Phair, TMG Search Canada’s president, will lead the Building High-Performance Team discussion on October 23rd at the Innovation Centre in Kelowna.
Elis Davanzo is starting a new position as an Engineer in Training with the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Anne Fleming, a Professor of Creative Writing at UBC Okanagan, has been named to the longlist for the 2024 Giller Prize, joining a select group of Canadian writers.
Scott Cochrane has been appointed executive director of Trinity Legacy Foundation (TLF), which is in charge of Helen’s Acres and provides funding for both domestic and international missionary efforts.
Wine Growers B.C.‘s president and CEO, Miles Prodan, announced his retirement at the end of 2024.
SKYTRAC and KF Aerospace, both located in Kelowna and part of the Okanagan Tech Sector, have successfully secured $61 million in investment from Boeing.
Under the management of Geoff Lindquist, Papa John’s Pizza opened its third restaurant in Rutland at 139 Hwy. W., tucked in between Olympia Taverna and Subway.
A recent report titled “A Weight-of-Evidence Approach for Understanding the Recovery of Okanagan Sockeye Salmon” details the extraordinary comeback of the Okanagan River Sockeye salmon population, which has been attributed to a combination of improved marine conditions and environmental management actions.
Greater Vancouver Food Bank has announced its partnership with Amazon Local Good, Amazon’s very first logistical collaboration in BC. The partnership aims to revolutionize local pickups and deliveries with the help of Amazon trucks and drivers.
The Provincial Health Services Authority is providing an exceptional incentive program for specific positions, which offers the potential to earn up to $30,000 (conditions apply).
Dawson International Truck Centre recently moved to its new location at 3953 Highway 97 North, Kelowna.
The 2024 Awards of Excellence were presented by the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Recipients of the FPAC Awards of Excellence are forestry advocates whose work has significantly advanced the social, economic, and environmental advantages of forestry in Canada.
Alpine Engineering Ltd. and Aspen Lands Advisory Ltd. have initiated construction on a $3.5M water infrastructure project in partnership with Wiltech Developments Inc. The construction of this innovative structure will include a water storage pond and water main on-site, which will ultimately convert 400+ acres of dry land into a desirable agricultural property.
Okanagan College has been awarded a $1.75 million grant from the federal government to support innovation in British Columbia’s beverage industry.
Central Okanagan Search and Rescue is marking its 70th anniversary with a special celebration on October 5, 2024, at 4680 Old Vernon Road.
The first-ever poker room at Chances Casino Kelowna will open to the public on Friday, September 27.
On October 1st, 2024, Empower Women Canada will host an event at Worthy Okanagan. Attendees can participate in workshops, interactive discussions, and networking sessions led by industry experts and thought leaders.
The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) is conducting a business and workforce survey to inform its 2025-2030 strategy. The survey aims to gather input from businesses, residents, and local workers on the region’s business environment and workforce needs. Participants can complete the survey at Your Say RDCO by September 30, 2024, for a chance to win prepaid Visa cards or local gift baskets.
The OYP Collective is thrilled to partner with Okanagan College for a Coffee Social event on Wednesday, October 9th, 2024, at the Centre for Learning.
The Kelowna Chamber will hold three electoral forums for candidates in the upcoming October 19th provincial election. Each forum will feature a Q&A format with audience questions via Slido, moderated discussions, and time-limited responses. Moderators include CBC’s Chris Walker and Sarah Penton.
Forum Schedule:
- Kelowna Mission: October 8, Coast Capri Hotel
- Kelowna Lake Country Coldstream: October 9, Coast Capri Hotel
- Kelowna Centre: October 10, Coast Capri Hotel
KAMLOOPS
Ken Olynyk has been named Technical Advisor for the TRU WolfPack women’s basketball team.
The City of Kamloops has declared that the alternate approval procedures for the Build Kamloops strategy’s initial phase were successful. The performing arts facility, to be constructed at Seymour Street and Fourth Avenue, is expected to break ground in 2025. In 2026, construction will start on the arena multiplex, which will be located next to Hillside Drive’s Kenna Cartwright Park entrance.
The Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality and the City of Kamloops have been given additional time to upgrade infrastructure and amend zoning bylaws to facilitate the construction of additional housing.
Thompson Rivers University and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Indigenous Education Centre, which will cost $22 million.
The new Nursing Student Lounge, located on the first floor of the Alumni Tower at RIH, was unveiled by the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation with the aim of enhancing local recruitment.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) is creating its first Parks and Trails Strategic Plan and is asking residents to complete a survey to share their experiences and input. The plan will evaluate existing parks, identify development opportunities, and prioritize future projects. The survey is open until October 7, 2024, and can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/TNRDparkstrails or by contacting TNRD Community Services for support.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
Expander Technologies Inc. has received a substantial investment of $1.25 million, shared with two other BC companies, from the B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy.
To help local families in need of wholesome meals, JCI and the South Okanagan Women in Need Society have teamed to launch the Community Spoons initiative. The Penticton Eagles lodge will host their next gathering on October 8th.
In observance of Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30, Tim Hortons restaurants in the South Okanagan will be selling special orange doughnuts. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to several important Indigenous organizations, including the Orange Shirt Society, the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, the New Pathways Foundation in Quebec, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, and the Ulnooweg Education Centre.
The Discovery House Recovery Centre in Penticton has initiated its annual autumn harvest online auction fundraiser to raise funds for their charitable programs that assist men in overcoming addiction. The auction is expected to conclude on October 28, with a target of $10,000.
A platform called Bookyrslf was created by Brett Rheeder and Brayden Barrett-Hay to assist athletes and other skilled individuals in making money off of their abilities.
The Town of Oliver has secured multiple grants totalling $3 million, which will be used to upgrade the Oliver and District Arena. The federal government has already granted $2.3 million, and the remaining monies will be sourced from the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen’s operational and capital reserves.
SALMON ARM
The Salmon Arm Bay Nature Enhancement Society is seeking to raise $250,000 for a new bird viewing platform along Raven Trail, which borders Salmon Arm Bay.
The B.C. Interior Series Amateur Boxing event, being hosted by Whizbang Boxing, will take place at the Song Sparrow Hall in Salmon Arm on Saturday, October 12.
VERNON
Brad Thorlakson
Brad Thorlakson, executive chairman of Tolko Industries, located in Vernon, was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Forest Products Association of Canada.
On Saturday, Neuron Mobility and the Traffic Injury Research Foundation will launch the fourth annual Helmet Safety Awareness Week in Vernon.
Noble Yoga in Vernon has been chosen as one of the top three finalists for the Small Business BC Awards‘ Best Youth Entrepreneur Award.
The UBCM has allocated $200,000 to the City of Vernon for FireSmart and resilience-related programs.
SUMMERLAND
ONES+ is celebrating its 2nd anniversary.
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