‘Business Walk’ gets pulse of the business community

Oct 19, 2020 | 1:20 PM Pete McIntyre

October 18-24 is B.C. Small Business Week and the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) and its community partners want to hear from regional businesses.

Central Okanagan businesses are encouraged to complete a brief survey to share their experience to date and outlook going forward here. The 2020 Central Okanagan Business Walk Survey is open for participation from Monday October 19 through to Friday October 30.

Since 2012 the COEDC, along with 13 partner organizations from Lake Country, Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, West Kelowna and Peachland, has embarked on an annual Business Walk to capture the pulse of businesses throughout the region, connect business support agencies to the business community, communicate industry intelligence to multiple civic and business stakeholders and identify opportunities for the COEDC and partners to support local businesses.

Previous walks would see volunteers walking door to door to businesses in communities from Lake Country to Peachland to listen to business owners and ask a few key questions to capture the pulse of the small business community. This year’s walk, in support of public health best practices, is a hybrid model which includes an online survey, phone outreach and some scheduled in-person visits depending on community needs. Businesses will be asked questions about business confidence, COVID-19 impacts, employee retention and recruitment, as well as general business opportunities and challenges.

“Connecting with local operators and business owners is important for enhancing understanding of the unique impacts experienced by businesses in the Region. We know many sectors are still struggling and preparing for the end of some supports as well as looking ahead to stabilize business. For other sectors the impact of COVID-19 has led to opportunities and new growth. As a region we are looking forward and remaining focused on a recovery that is people focused to meet the needs of our diverse local economy and community,” said Krista Mallory, Manager Economic Development, Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission.

For more information on what each Central Okanagan community is doing in their own communities to support local businesses visit:

And to keep up to date on current resources for local businesses, visit the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission at investkelowna.com.