Keelan Murtagh, new executive director of the Downtown Vernon Association (Submitted photo/DVA)

By Pete McIntyre

DVA

New leadership for Vernon business group

Jan 27, 2022 | 3:40 PM

Keelan Murtagh has no shortage of things he would like to accomplish as the new executive director of the Downtown Vernon Association (DVA).

Murtagh started his new job a month ago after taking over for Susan Lehman who left after four years for a positon with Community Futures in Fort St. John.

Murtagh said his immediate focus is to “get himself in front of members” to meet them and find out what their concerns are.

“Personally I plan to continue attracting new businesses and investments to the downtown core and try to bring as many businesses as we can. We’ve handed out 17 welcome packages since the summer so that’s very encouraging,” Murtagh told Vernon Matters.

Murtagh explained the 17 packages were for businesses that came to the downtown, such as Sproing Creative in the VantageOne building, which used to be in another part of the city.

258 Net New Homes

Vernon's first housing target nearly hit after just six months

Mar 20, 2026

$1B Spent On Program

Vernon MP calling out gun buyback costs, effectiveness

Mar 20, 2026

Cost to Ride

Vernon Transit fares to be reviewed

Mar 20, 2026

Murtagh says he also wants to keep working with local partners to maintain and improve the downtown area.

“I want to keep it beautiful and do what I can to improve it.”

He also wants to make sure the Okanagan knows that downtown Vernon is open for business, and that they have what people want.

“Because it doesn’t end at Kelowna, right?” said Murtagh.

Murtagh originally moved to Vernon from the Kootenays in 2014 with his wife to start their family.

Since then, he has worked at SilverStar, Wayside Press, SQM Group and volunteering time to organizations such as the DVA. He learned a lot about the DVA by serving on its board from 2018 to 2020.

“I’ve really gotten to know Vernon and the different aspects of Vernon, and a lot of the key stakeholders through those roles,” he told Vernon Matters.

Murtagh believes downtown merchants are feeling more optimistic about recovering from the pandemic.

“I think there is definitely a sense of optimism that hasn’t been felt for some time. We’ve been living with COVID long enough now that people have adapted and are becoming a little more savvy within those adaptations.”

And with other countries starting to lift restrictions, Murtagh said there is hope that the same thing will happen in Canada.

Downtown Plaza held on two blocks of 30th Avenue in summer of 2021. (Photo credit: DVA)

The Downtown Vernon Association is funded by a commercial tax levy on properties within the Business Improvement Area. It’s mission is to serve as a resource and advocate for its members and to create an environment for sustainable economic prosperity.