Kelowna Council Weighs Leaving Regional Economic Development Commission

Kelowna city council has voted to explore leaving the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission and bringing economic development work back under city control. The move follows a task force recommendation that Kelowna focus more directly on its own economic priorities rather than share the effort through the regional body, which also includes representatives from West Kelowna, Peachland and Lake Country. City staff have been asked to report back on the steps needed to exit the commission. The task force said Kelowna already contributes most of the funding and manages much of the region’s growth, while supporters of the current system argued the city still has a responsibility to support broader regional cooperation. Council also unanimously backed a separate feasibility study for a possible new conference and convention centre with the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.