Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK
October 30, 2023 - 7:30 AM
The number of people working in the Central Okanagan by the end of September was up 8.1%, or 8,992, compared to last year with 118,478 people working.
During the same period, the unemployment rate fell to 3.2% from 5.3%, according to third quarter statistics released, Oct. 26, by the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission.
While housing starts were down 15.2% to 2,131, building permit values jumped 39.4% to $1.76 billion. The number of business licences in the region increased by 4.1% to 16,054.
Kelowna International Airport is also on pace to having a record breaking year with a total of 1.5 million passengers flying in and out by the end of September.
The record was set in 2018 at just over two million passengers, which was almost matched in 2019.
This year, to the end of September, passenger counts are more than the 2018 totals but less than 2019 so the busy Christmas season will determine the final result.
This comes despite the fact the airport was pretty much closed for more than a week in August due to the Grouse Complex of wildfires.
READ MORE: Why wildfires closed Kelowna airport this time and not others
Over the course of the past year, the medium house price in the Central Okanagan rose 15.8% compared to a year ago, reaching $1.4 million. Rents were up 13.8% for a two bedroom apartment to $1,665, the report says.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2023