Proposed Economic Development Corporation

June 2023 update: Consultation is now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their feedback. To review what we heard during consultation, read the What We Heard Report.

On June 13, West Kelowna Council authorized the creation of a municipally owned West Kelowna Economic Development Corporation. The B.C. Inspector of Municipalities must now approve the establishment of the corporation after which time staff would return to Council to seek their direction on next steps including hiring a chief executive officer, establishing a board of directors and creating a strategy and action plan for attracting and supporting business and investments in West Kelowna. Read the full report or watch the Council Meeting webcast archives for more information.

Council’s Strategic Priorities: Pursue Economic Growth & Prosperity

West Kelowna Council is considering the establishment of an arm's-length, City of West Kelowna Economic Development Corporation (WKEDC) as the vehicle to deliver an enhanced West Kelowna-focused local economic development service.

The City of West Kelowna currently provides an in-house municipal economic development service. The municipality is also a participant in the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC), which exists as an in-house regional service of the Regional District of Central Okanagan. Strong development coupled with new economic opportunities in West Kelowna prompted the City in late 2021 to examine its own local and regional economic development service efforts.

Tell us what you think!

From April 17-28, we are looking for feedback from the community about the Proposed Economic Development Corporation model, function and priorities to further pursue economic growth and prosperity in West Kelowna.

Council would like to hear from stakeholders and the community about a future Economic Development Corporation aimed at supporting Council’s priority to further pursue economic growth and prosperity in West Kelowna.

How to get involved

• Review the Information Package and display boards
• Complete the feedback form
• Pick up an engagement package at City Hall to submit your feedback on paper

Key dates

• April 17 - 28: Feedback open
• May/June 2023: Feedback from the community is gathered and provided to Council for their consideration as they consider establishing a future economic development Corporation in West Kelowna

About the Proposed Economic Development Corporation

The proposed West Kelowna Economic Development Corporation would be the strategic business development agency, created by the City of West Kelowna, to lead efforts aimed at building West Kelowna's economy.

The Corporation would work to:

• Develop a West Kelowna Economic Development Strategy
• Attract businesses, employers and investment to West Kelowna
• Develop branding aimed at identifying West Kelowna as a distinct community within the Central Okanagan, British Columbia and Canada
• Coordinate sector-specific and broader economic development activities undertaken by or in collaboration with business and development agencies
• Develop and support programs aimed at retaining and expanding existing businesses
• Advise the City on the development of services, infrastructure, bylaws, policies and regulations to support business growth and expand the non-residential assessment base

Stakeholder and public input throughout the process remains very important to Council. Thank you for taking the time to review the information and provide your feedback.

Ask us

Have questions about this initiative? Ask them below.