Central Okanagan lobbies for regional development office

Jan 19, 2021 | 3:59 PM Kevin Rothwell

Central Okanagan political leaders plan on pressing the federal government to locate a Regional Development Agency (RDA) office in the Kelowna region.

In the Government of Canada’s fall economic statement and during Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages’ Mélanie Joly’s, outreach to B.C. industry leaders, it was announced a new agency would be created in recognition of B.C. as a singular economy.

Today, the regional economic recovery task force said the Kelowna region is ideally positioned to support the RDA and wants it here.

“We want it here. We’ve got all the pieces in place. The region’s industry and academia have the track record to prove we can make it successful,” Task Force Co-Chair and Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran, said. “The Task Force is actively advocating to Minister Joly’s office that there is no other place in B.C. that is a better fit.”

As one the fastest growing regions of Canada, the Kelowna Census Metropolitan Area is well positioned to leverage and amplify the support a Regional Development Agency office would provide. The region has a strong business ecosystem and community assets that drive growth and recognition nationally and internationally.

Economic growth in the area is supported by strong collaboration among government, industry and higher education. This was highlighted by the recent announcement that UBC Okanagan was awarded a $1.9 million grant to facilitate a Clean Tech Hub that will create up to 50 jobs and promote clean technologies.

Kelowna has also leveraged successful partnerships to build the $35 million Innovation Centre which puts multiple high-tech businesses and service providers under one roof.

The Kelowna region is an entrepreneurial hub for the Okanagan and has been named by the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses as one of the top entrepreneurial communities in Canada. The economy gains strength through diversified sectors including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture, viticulture, information and communications technology, digital media and health.