British Columbia's new agrifoods strategy, released under the BC Jobs Plan, is aimed at increasing local food production and processing while supporting job growth and healthy communities.

Highlights of "B.C. Agrifoods: A Strategy for Growth" include:

• Promoting local foods and strengthening the domestic market through the interactive online initiative, Foods BC; 
• Achieving full traceability for BC livestock and seafood, to enhance British Columbia's global reputation for safe, secure food production;
• Expanding international markets for beef, berries, seafood and wine, and
• Reviewing regulatory and taxation levels.

BC Government Requests

Public Input on

PST Re-implementation

The BC government will be re-implementing the provincial sales tax (PST) effective April 1, 2013 and is looking for your input - specifically for suggestions on the best way to provide you with re-implementation information. 

Comments should be forwarded to SBRPublications@gov.bc.ca by April 30, 2012.

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE)

Lead Angel Investor Forum

Wednesday, April 4

5:30 pm

Okanagan College - Room H115

Eight entrepreneurs will present their ideas for business opportunities related to database mining, hydrogen energy fuel cell technology, and leading-edge optics technology at the SIFE-led Venture Okanagan Angel Investor Forum at Okanagan College on April 4th.   

Venture Okanagan is the Okanagan's first college-led venture capital group created by SIFE in conjunction with the Okanagan School of Business.  

The cost to attend is $35.  A wine and cheese networking social will follow in the Atrium after the forum.

Please register for the Investor Forum using the "eventbrite" link - eventbrite will process your ticket registration and will accept payments online.

Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission Releases 2012 Strategic Plan 

The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) has released its Strategic Plan for 2012. The Strategic Plan outlines the direction and scope of activities for the Commission for the coming year in three basic areas: Business Retention and Enhancement, Investment Attraction and Economic Development Facilitation.  

Areas of focus include attracting non-location specific entrepreneurs to the Okanagan from western Canada, assisting farms in developing agri-tourism opportunities, and expanding efforts to retain young people in the community through the new Okanagan Young Professionals Collective. The Commission will augment its one-on-one site visitation program with a Business Walk initiative throughout the Central Okanagan in the fall, as well as provide detailed support and information to local businesses through our Business Beyond Borders series. 

The 2012 Strategic Plan was developed from information gathered during industry roundtable discussions with more than 60 representatives from a cross-section of industries,
over than 200 site visits conducted in the Central Okanagan in 2011, economic data and growth trends, and direction provided by the Commission's Advisory Board of Directors.

New Resource Guide for

Agricultural Businesses Available

A new guide, Resources for Farm Operators in the Central  Okanagan, has been developed by the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission.  From sources of information for market research and planning, to potential financing, technical resources and industry associations, this guide provides a brief description of services, contact information and direct links to websites.  

This resource is one of many resources currently under development from the COEDC as a result of 2011/12 site visits to Central Okanagan Farm Operators. 

The guide is available online through the COEDC's website www.investkelowna.com or click on the image to view. 

 Funding Will Turn Peachland School into Community Services Centre

With $400,000 in funding from the Province of BC, the District of Peachland will renovate the 103-year old Peachland Primary School into a new community services centre that will house the Visitors Centre, Chamber of Commerce, Okanagan Boys and Girls Club and other community organizations. 

MLA Bill Barisoff presented a cheque for the funding to Peachland Mayor Keith Fielding on March 20th. 

The extensive renovations will include salvaging existing building materials and historic elements, restoring original heritage features to the exterior of the building, and renovating the interior to provide new program, meeting and activity spaces. 

The schools attic is also home to approximately 2,000 bats which provide a unique educational experience.

"This is an admirable community effort, not only to protect a heritage building, but also to ensure that it will continue to serve current and future generations of Peachland residents," said Barisoff.