economy
Nominate a small B.C. business before time runs out
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The Small Business B.C. Awards is accepting nominations and already a few local businesses and entrepreneurs have been recognized for their contributions and achievements. Nominations and votes will be accepted until Nov. 30, 2014 and is open to all new and existing businesses registered in B.C. with fewer than 50 employees. The Top...
Centre at Naramata risks being shut down
PENTICTON - The Centre at Naramata risks a chance of shutting down unless the organization can raise $500,000 by the end of the month. The Centre has had financial difficulties, which became known to the public this past spring when 30 CUPE workers, employed by the Centre went on strike. A statement released earlier this...
Residents protest duplex development with signs
PENTICTON - Residents of Churchill Avenue have erected signs in protest of the development of a double-duplex on their street — an issue that will be discussed during a public hearing and Penticton city council meeting next week. The property at 701 Churchill Ave. is being developed by local developer Schoenne Homes. The development requires...
Penticton open for business: ranking
PENTICTON - Penticton has been ranked as one of the province’s top three entrepreneurial cities, and amongst the top 20 in Canada. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business released a report called Canada’s Entrepreneurial Commutities which studied municipalities with populations of 20,000 or more and ranked them based on 14 indicators including, industrial diversity, representation...
Penticton lifestyle will be the cure for job retention
PENTICTON - It’s going to take a creative touch for businesses to acquire the skilled trade workers and permanent training resources needed to satisfy the demands of the growing industrial sector in Penticton. Job retention isn’t just about economic development opportunities, says economic development director, Colleen Pennington—it’s also about investing in the arts community, the...
Konanz runs to keep her seat
PENTICTON - Helena Konanz says she wants to continue to improve Penticton’s economy and culture by continuing her reign on city council. "My portfolio for the past three years has been towards economic development and job creation, and I would like to continue to advocate for the business and manufacturing sector of our city for...
Mayor and council discuss job retention and insurance
PENTICTON - Mayor and council have been busy this week at the 2014 Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Whistler, discussing issues from insurance claims to job recruitment and retention with provincial ministers. A resolution to restore full ICBC claim coverage was passed by the UBCM membership Wednesday. Municipalities want ICBC to reimburse cities in...
Jakubeit tosses hat into mayoral race
PENTICTON - Add Andrew Jakubeit to the list of mayoral candidates for the upcoming election, alongside fellow councillor John Vassilaki. Jakubeit announced Tuesday morning he will run for mayor, which leaves another seat open around the council table. He said his platform will centre on community pride, economic diversity, building a better relationship with the...
Tax fate for local nonprofits in hands of council
PENTICTON - Four local organizations were added to the list of tax exempt properties, even though they didn’t originally qualify under the city policy. Council made a motion to add four organizations—The Paternal Order of Eagles, The Penticton Minor Hockey Association, Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada, and the Senior’s Drop-in Centre—to the...
City hopes jobs, investment follows these tax breaks
PENTICTON - The local economy may soon get a boost if a new City of Penticton tax scheme for local industrial businesses pays off. The city is offering up tax breaks to industrial businesses hoping it spurs employment and new investment. “Everybody seems to be under the impression that tourism is one of our largest...
ARCHER: The trouble with Penticton’s priorities
Penticton has been all about beaches, peaches, wine and scenery for decades. Our little town is sandwiched between two beautiful lakes and fenced in with mountains and blue skies, so of course it makes sense to market it as a tourist attraction—a place to visit and hopefully stay. But in order for people to stay...
Want to be a correctional officer at the new Okanagan prison?
PENTICTON - B.C. Corrections is looking for South Okanagan residents interested in becoming correctional officers to work at the new prison when it opens in 2016. The Justice Institute and B.C. Corrections will hold information sessions in Osoyoos, Penticton and Oliver throughout October and November. There will be orientation sessions to provide an overview of...
Band chief works to bridge gaps in community
PENTICTON - Penticton Indian Band chief Jonathan Kruger hopes to involve locatees and the band community in development projects, including the new bridge that will be built over the Okanagan River channel. The project is part of Kruger’s big plans to improve the band’s economy and community. The bridge is just a gateway for some...
Learn more about the Wiltse Area development plan
PENTICTON - A development plan that has been in the works for several years has been brought back to council, and soon, the public will have a chance to say a word or two. There will be an open house on July 16 at the Penticton Public Library for the Wiltse Area development plan. A...
Centre’s strike take toll on community and local businesses
PENTICTON — Naramata’s local economy will take a hit this summer while the community’s largest organization is on strike. Last week, the administration of the Centre at Naramata decided to pull the plug in summer programming, in order to prove their striking efforts were serious. Employees have been standing on the picket line since May,...