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Economic Development Strategic Plan Survey

The West Kelowna Economic Development Corporation (WKEDC) is building its first Economic Development Strategic Plan, and we want your input to help shape it.

The WKEDC’s goal is to lead business growth, resilience and retention, investment attraction and community prosperity building. Our inaugural three-year Plan for 2027–2030 will use research and community feedback to create a vision for West Kelowna that’s representative of the people who live, work, and play here. We acknowledge that West Kelowna is located on the traditional, unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan People.

We’re curious to hear how you see the local economy — what works, what gets in the way, and where to focus first. This short survey takes 10-15 minutes. It’s open to anyone who lives, works, owns property, or runs a business in West Kelowna, has interest in starting a business here or who has economic ties to our community. You do not need to own a business to take part.

Your answers will remain anonymous. After the survey closes, we will publish a summary of what we heard, and the final strategic plan will show how community input helped to shape it. Final decisions about the strategy rest with the WKEDC Board.

If you would like to know more, or want to get a head start on growing, starting or moving your business to West Kelowna, contact WKEDC CEO Ryan Malcolm at  ryan.malcolm@wkedc.ca.

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Current Economy and Future Vision:

1.  

How much do you agree with each statement?

West Kelowna's economy is performing well today
West Kelowna's economy will be stronger in three years
Economic development matters to life in West Kelowna
West Kelowna is a good place to start or grow a business
West Kelowna has its own economic identity, distinct from Kelowna
I can find most of the goods and services I need in West Kelowna
West Kelowna offers good opportunities for people to build a career
West Kelowna is an affordable place to do business
Businesses are well supported in West Kelowna
West Kelowna is well promoted as a place to do business
West Kelowna is well promoted as a place to visit and buy goods and services
West Kelowna needs more post-secondary educational opportunities to train and retain a skilled and future workforce
West Kelowna needs more services close to home, to reduce reliance on the WR Bennett Bridge and travel to other communities

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3.  

Which outcomes should be valued most when measuring the Economic Development Strategy’s success by 2030? Select up to three.

4.  

What are West Kelowna's greatest strengths for growing the local economy? Select up to three.

5.  

What are the biggest challenges facing West Kelowna's economy today? Rate each of these using the scale below.

Housing costs for workers and residents
Cost of living
Cost of doing business and commercial rents
Shortage of available or serviced commercial and industrial land
No recognizable town or business centre
Difficulty attracting and keeping workers
Bridge dependency and growing congestion
General highway traffic and movement of commercial goods and deliveries
Permitting, approvals and red tape
Limited profile or identity
The quality or range of job opportunities
Limited access to financing or business supports
Lack of post-secondary training and learning opportunities on this side of the WR Bennett Bridge
6.  

Which outside forces do you think will most affect West Kelowna's economy over the next three years? Select up to three.

7.  

Where should WKEDC focus its efforts first? Rate each of these using the scale below.

Building direct relationships with existing businesses to help them stay and grow in West Kelowna
Attracting new employers and investment
Supporting Tourism, events and attractions
More heavily promoting business and economic opportunities in West Kelowna
Acting as a single point of contact to help businesses navigate City and agency processes
Brokering partnerships and joint ventures with Westbank First Nation
Connecting businesses to post-secondary, research and innovation partners
Building the business case and data for employment land readiness
Supporting workforce attraction, training and youth retention with partners
Supporting the health, wellness and seniors' economy
Advocating with all levels of government for better business support and pro-business policies
Attracting future-forward businesses such as tech, data centres, drone and adapted rotorcraft manufacturing and alternative energy
8.  

Where should WKEDC focus its efforts first? Select your top three priorities.

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11.  

What best describes your connection to West Kelowna? *

* required