Economic development
Kelowna is truly a great place to do business, and it’s not just us saying this:
The largest municipality in the Interior of British Columbia, Kelowna has the best of rural and urban lifestyles packed into one unique city. The city boasts a diverse economy including manufacturing, tourism, aviation, agriculture, wineries and health care. Businesses are supported by quality post-secondary institutions including UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College, and over 15,000 full-time students. Kelowna is also home of the Kelowna General Hospital: the premier healthcare facility in the region.
Kelowna also has a thriving arts and culture scene, combined with all the outdoor activities that make the Central Okanagan a must-see tourism destination, as well as a popular place to live. Kelowna is the base for over 600 technology companies with over $1.8 billion in annual revenue, according to Accelerate Okanagan.
Invest Kelowna, the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission’s online portal to business development information, resources and contacts, has more information about Kelowna's attractive business climate.
Business improvement areas
We contribute more than $700,000 annually to fund regional economic development efforts. We also approve business improvement areas (BIAs): an association of property owners and tenants within a specified district who join together to stimulate business and promote their commercial area.
Kelowna has two BIAs:
