Agriculture drives Okanagan hopes

Agriculture has been touted as a potential driver of BC’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, Tourism Kelowna and Accelerate Okanagan are counting on it being so.

Agriculture is one of the sectors targeted by OKGo, a new marketing campaign the three organizations launched January 21.

OKGo tells stories of innovators and entrepreneurs to position the region for future economic prosperity. The common goal of the three partner organizations is long-term economic recovery by promoting the area as a knowledge centre for agriculture, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and digital technologies. It’s hoped the campaign will attract new talent, entrepreneurs, business investment and events to the region, ultimately increasing growth across all economic sectors.

One of the featured companies is Sun-Rype Products Ltd., which celebrates its 75th birthday in 2021.

“We wanted to highlight that there is a major Canadian company right here in the valley,” says Sun-Rype business development manager Lynn Heinrich.

“While the COEDC and our partners continue to support businesses in navigating the immediate impacts of the pandemic, with the OKGo campaign we are also preparing for new economic opportunities. When the time is right, the region will be ready,” says COEDC manager Krista Mallory.

The OKGo campaign includes print and digital assets to showcase companies like Sun-Rype as they relate to innovation, entrepreneurship and infrastructure. Key markets including the Pacific Northwest and select major Canadian centres.

“Entrepreneurs in our region have always been eager to share their experience doing business in the Okanagan. OKGo gives the community a tangible representation of the diverse and vibrant energy in the valley that they can use to tell the world of how much is happening here,” says Accelerate Okanagan CEO Brea Lake.

The project was funded with matching dollars from Global Affairs Canada, which sees OKGo as supporting the economic recovery of Canada as a whole by improving local business capacity, highlighting the region’s competitive advantages to attract investment, talent and business events.