Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
(Image Credit: Vernon Matters)
By Vernon Matters staff
opting out

Kelowna starts process to divorce from regional development

Jul 15, 2026 | 6:00 AM

Kelowna city council has voted narrowly to effectively divorce itself from a long-standing economic development model with its regional neighbours.

The city started the process towards implementing an independent in-house model. That could take anywhere between a few months and 18 months.

Kelowna contributes nearly 70 percent of the regional economic development budget but does not have that level of control or influence.

Senior staff noted the City’s scale, contribution level, and economic opportunities warranted a more direct approach to setting priorities.

The report added the City of Kelowna remained the primary growth centre in Central Okanagan and was expected to accommodate a significant share of the region’s future population and employment growth. More than 70 per cent of Kelowna’s future employment growth was anticipated to occur within and around the City’s Urban Centres.

Hospice Society Fundraiser
50/50 raffle launched to support end-of-life care services
A few minutes ago
Missing For Four Days
Missing boater found deceased in Mara Lake
18h ago
Hole in One
Charity golf tournament raised $47K for local groups
22h ago

Over the long term, Kelowna had generally grown at a faster rate than Metro Vancouver and British Columbia as a whole, the report stated. Entrepreneurial dynamism and promising new industries such as digital media, agri-tech, aerospace and cleantech are characteristics of the local economy, alongside diversifying educational pathways at local post-secondary institutions.

by Vernon Matters staff
View Comments

Other Matters

Hospice Society Fundraiser
50/50 raffle launched to support end-of-life care services
North Okanagan residents have a chance to win some money while supporting end-of-life care in the region.The North Okanagan Hospice Society (NOHS) has opened sales of its 50/50 raffle tickets. The winner could take home up to $10,000.The funds from the raffle would also go to support NOHS programs, including caring for...
7m ago
Read More
opting out
Kelowna starts process to divorce from regional development
Kelowna city council has voted narrowly to effectively divorce itself from a long-standing economic development model with its regional neighbours.The city started the process towards implementing an independent in-house model. That could take anywhere between a few months and 18 months.Kelowna contributes nearly 70 pe...
4h ago
Read More
Election 2026
Kelowna businesswoman runs for city council
A Kelowna businesswoman will throw her hat into the ring for city council.Teresa May announced she would run in the 2026 municipal election.She said her focus will be on safer neighbourhoods, responsible growth and supporting local businesses.In a media release, May said after decades of serving Kelowna through volunte...
16h ago
Read More
Missing For Four Days
Missing boater found deceased in Mara Lake
The body of a missing boater in the Shuswap was located Tuesday.Police said the man's body was recovered from Mara Lake July 14 by the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team (URT) and RCMP National Underwater Recovery Training Centre (NURTC).The man was reported missing July 10 by a group of friends he had been boating with aft...
18h ago
Read More
Costs Rising
Kelowna's transit costs set to rise by nearly $2 million
Kelowna taxpayers will see the city's share of regional transit costs increase by about $1.92 million in the 2026-27 fiscal year.The increase covers Kelowna's portion of the Kelowna Regional Transit Service, which provides conventional and custom transit across the Central Okanagan.The city's transit contribution rose ...
20h ago
Read More
Broker fined $28K
Kelowna deal tied to mortgage broker fine
A B.C. mortgage broker has agreed to pay more than $28,000 after admitting to disclosure issues in three Okanagan real estate transactions. Alan James Fetterly entered into a consent order with the B.C. Financial Services Authority, including a case involving a Kelowna property. The regulator says key information was n...
21h ago
Read More
Prestigious Pageant
Vernon's Samantha Sewell named Miss Canada World International
A Vernonite will represent the nation at the Miss World International pageant next summer. Samantha Sewell was named Miss Canada World International 2027 and will participate in the televised five-day event in Miami, Florida.Sewell said the global stage will serve as an ultimate triumph over adversity.The Vernon reside...
21h ago
Read More
Advisory Issued
Water quality advisory issued for Killiney Beach water system
Residents connected to the Killiney Beach water system are being advised to boil their tap water after the Regional District of Central Okanagan issued a Water Quality Advisory.The advisory was issued due to increased turbidity, or cloudiness, in the water supply, and affects all properties connected to the system.As a...
22h ago
Read More
Hole in One
Charity golf tournament raised $47K for local groups
A charity golf tournament raised thousands of dollars for local organizations.The fifth annual Kal Rotary Charity Golf Tournament saw over 100 golfers tee off at the Vernon Golf and Country Club June 4, during which they raised $47,000 for organizations in the North Okanagan."From golfers to sponsors to prize dono...
22h ago
Read More

What Matters

Hospice Society Fundraiser
50/50 raffle launched to support end-of-life care services
A few minutes ago
Missing For Four Days
Missing boater found deceased in Mara Lake
18h ago
Hole in One
Charity golf tournament raised $47K for local groups
22h ago
Election 2026
Teresa Durning seeking reelection with Stronger Vernon campaign
22h ago
Water Shortage
RDNO wants operators to seek water transfers as some have service shut off
Jul 13, 2026