Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country; Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business, Naomi Yamamoto; Walter Gray, Mayor of Kelowna; Paul Macklem, General Manager of corporate sustainability for the City of Kelowna; Kelowna City Councilors Gail Given and Luke Stack; and Minister of Community, Sport, and Cultural Development, Coralee Oakes.

Image Credit: Contributed

KELOWNA – Kelowna was one of seven B.C. communities honoured with the B.C. Small Business Roundtable’s Open for Business Awards at the annual Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Convention on Thursday in Vancouver.

The Open for Business Awards recognize local policies, projects and programs that support small business. This year’s recipients are Kelowna, Central Saanich, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Fort St. James, City of Langley and Penticton. As an incentive to promote an open-for-business culture, government is providing $10,000 to each winning community to fund a local, small-business friendly program that aligns with the principles of the B.C. Small Business Accord.

Quotes:
“I am so proud to represent a region with such a strong appreciation for the value that small businesses contribute to our community and to our economy. As the past owner of several small businesses, it is very encouraging to see Kelowna recognized on the provincial stage for all it does to foster a strong small business community, and to be the recipient of a $10,000 provincial grant to continue these efforts.”
-          Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country

“It is great to see recognition of the hard work by so many in Kelowna to promote small businesses, which are the heart and soul of our community, and the backbone of our economy. Congratulations to Mayor Walter Gray and Kelowna City Council on all of their work on encouraging small businesses to grow and thrive in our region.”

-          Steve Thomson, MLA for Kelowna-Mission

“By keeping taxes affordable and cutting red tape, we’re creating an environment where business has every opportunity to thrive and continue to create the jobs that support families. Municipal governments also play an important role –and Kelowna is doing its part.”

-          Premier Christy Clark, MLA for Westside-Kelowna

“It was a Team effort. In everything we do that impacts with the business sector, we work closely with our partners such as the Economic Development Commission, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, the Business Improvement Areas, Urban Development Institute and others to ensure that our processes are market tested, efficient and effective, and that our customer service is highly regarded.”

-          Walter Gray, Mayor of Kelowna

Additional information:

·         The B.C. Small Business Roundtable was established in 2005 to give a voice to small business

·         This year, the Small Business Roundtable received submissions from a record 39 communities across the province

·         Award evaluations were based on local measures that make it easier to do business in that community, including enhancing small-business competitiveness, recognizing the contributions of small businesses to the community, and promoting the principles of the B.C. Small Business Accord

News from © iNFOnews, 2013