Penticton moving to new phase in economic development with long-term strategy

PENTICTON – The City of Penticton is taking advantage of a recent boom in construction and business activity, using the momentum to develop a long-term economic development strategy.

The City recently partnered with industry groups to prepare a 2017 business climate survey.

Information provided by business will become an important part in the City’s strategic planning process by providing the basis for a five year strategic plan for economic development.

The survey will also provide some up to date information with respect to the current state of the local economy.

Partner organizations include the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Penticton Association, Travel Penticton and the Penticton Industrial District Association.

“Over the past few years Penticton has been focused on Economic Development and revitalization and we are now experiencing some momentum as confidence has been building.  It is now time to re-evaluate and adjust our plans for moving forward,” Mayor Andrew Jakubeit says, adding the City is experiencing an upswing in activity in construction and business and need to look at how they can make it continue.

A cross-section of 100 businesses will be sampled, representing various economic and business sectors and sizes that make up the local economy. The survey should be completed by November, with results compiled for release to the public before the end of the year.

The data will be used to identify immediate business concerns, identify key strengths associated with doing business locally and help build capacity to sustain growth and development.

All businesses are invited to go online to shapeyourcitypenticton.com/businesss-climate to schedule an appointment.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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