Okanagan Regional Success at Olympic Business Event

Posted: February 23, 2010

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release

February 22^nd, 2010

Okanagan Regional Success at Olympic Business Event

On February 18^th the Okanagan Valley Economic Development Society (OVEDS) successfully developed a business to business networking event showcasing the Okanagan to international media and developing relationships with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, BC Investors Services Branch and international food buyers at the 2010 BC Showcase and Commerce Centre.

OVEDS is a joint initiative between the Economic Development Commissions throughout the Okanagan. Its primary objective is to design and implement economic development initiatives that support collective opportunities for the region.  Its members include Osoyoos, Penticton, Summerland, Kelowna/Central Okanagan Regional District (CORD), Vernon and the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA).

More than 100 Okanagan Valley companies attended the regional event and several were connected to Trade Commissioners and BC Investor Services as a means to access foreign direct investment.  In addition more than a dozen international media representatives including Business in Vancouver, Western Investor and Wines & Vines magazine attended the event looking to connect with Okanagan companies for story ideas on our diverse region.

“The Okanagan Valley Economic Development Society is doing a great job of showcasing everything the region has to offer,” said Iain Black, Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development.  “This is what the 2010 Business Hosting Program is all about – promoting British Columbia’s businesses and regions to an international audience and creating a lasting Olympic economic legacy throughout the province.”

Terry Bigsby of Aspenware of the north Okanagan states “I was extremely delighted with the opportunity to showcase our product at the Okanagan reception during the Olympics! We were very pleased with the turn out of officials and contacts from around our region and outside.  The event that the economic development offices organized gave us a great opportunity to network with those individuals as well as others attending the Games that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. The venue was spectacular and really complemented all of the Okanagan companies and opened the world to us! We believe that these types of contacts will allow Aspenware to reach out to the international community and create export opportunities for us.”

For additional information please contact OVEDS regional members:

Jo Knight, Destination Osoyoos, 250- 495-5070 ext 202 ** SPAM PROTECTION: JavaScript Required to see email address - If you have questions email: info @ imaginepenticton.ca (just delete the spaces). **

David Arsenault, Penticton Economic Development, 250-493-3323 ** SPAM PROTECTION: JavaScript Required to see email address - If you have questions email: info @ imaginepenticton.ca (just delete the spaces). **

Scott Boswell, District of Summerland, 250-404-4042 ** SPAM PROTECTION: JavaScript Required to see email address - If you have questions email: info @ imaginepenticton.ca (just delete the spaces). **

Corie Griffiths, Kelowna/CORD, 250-469-6283 ** SPAM PROTECTION: JavaScript Required to see email address - If you have questions email: info @ imaginepenticton.ca (just delete the spaces). **

Kevin Poole, City of Vernon, 250-550-3249 ** SPAM PROTECTION: JavaScript Required to see email address - If you have questions email: info @ imaginepenticton.ca (just delete the spaces). **

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA, 250-860-5999 ** SPAM PROTECTION: JavaScript Required to see email address - If you have questions email: info @ imaginepenticton.ca (just delete the spaces). **

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There has never been a better time to invest in Penticton!

Posted: February 17, 2010

Press Release

NEW ECONOMIC INCENTIVE ZONES BYLAW

February 16, 2010

For Immediate Release:

Penticton Economic Development Services is proud to announce Penticton’s Economic Investment Strategy.

On February 15, the City of Penticton endorsed an Economic Investment Zone Bylaw as part of a competitive investment strategy.

“This initiative provides Penticton with a competitive advantage in attracting new business to the community and means jobs for local residents,” said David Arsenault Penticton’s Economic Development Officer.

The Economic Investment Zone  strategy is a “made in Penticton” economic stimulus initiative that offers tax incentives and reductions on development cost charges and building permits for the construction of new businesses and the re-development of existing businesses in the City of Penticton.

The strategy targets three specific economic areas in the community:

1. Hotel and Motel development,
2. Downtown Revitalization,
3. Industry and Manufacturing

The impetus behind this strategy is to encourage new investment during this economic downturn thereby creating jobs both during construction and operationally thereafter.  This initiative will stimulate the local economy, improve the streetscape and increased property assessments for future taxation purposes.

Implementation of the strategy begins March 1, 2010 and is time sensitive. The completion date for all projects is December 31, 2013. “We believe that this is a proactive approach to business retention and expansion aimed at enhancing the success and ongoing viability of businesses in Penticton,” added Arsenault.

Penticton Economic Development Services is very pleased to support this initiative. For more information on Penticton’s Economic Investment Zone Strategy visit the Economic Incentives page: http://www.imaginepenticton.ca/your-business/incentives/

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March 17th Market Development Seminar

Posted: February 15, 2010

Expanding Markets and Increasing Sales

March 17, 2010
Penticton Trade and Convention Centre
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 noon

Imagine Penticton is taking steps toward strengthening the local business exporting industry. We are currently working with local export-ready businesses and those who are interested or curious about the potential in exporting for their business.

Expanding Markets and Increasing Sales Seminar, hosted by Imagine Penticton, invites all local businesses with exportable products to attend. The goal of this program is to develop working connections with a number of provincial and federal agencies to talk about export development and international trade.

The event will showcase a variety of government agencies and provide the Penticton business community with an opportunity for one-on one consultation.

Agencies Attending:
Canadian Trade Commissioner Service,
Agriculture Canada,
Export Development Canada,
Small Business BC,
Canada Border Services Agency,
Public Works Canada,
Industrial Research Assistance Program,
Business Development Bank Canada,
Canadian Food Inspection Agency,
Penticton Economic Development Services

Penticton Exports!

For more information and to register please contact:
David Arsenault
Imagine Penticton
Economic Development Services
Tel: 250-493-3323
E-mail: ** SPAM PROTECTION: JavaScript Required to see email address - If you have questions email: info @ imaginepenticton.ca (just delete the spaces). **