Thanks to a thriving tech industry that has seen more than a 30 per cent growth in just two years, Kelowna has seen its demographics change drastically and its cultural scene adapt to appease younger tastes.
The B.C. city has long been known for just its world-class wineries 害羞草研究所� Mission Hill, for example, has won numerous awards for its wine, including best Riesling and best Pinot Noir in the world at the Decanter World Wine Awards 害羞草研究所� and its 2,000 hours of sunshine, minimal precipitation and flat terrain made it idyllic for retirees.
However, given a recent tech boom, and with many natives of Kelowna returning home after being priced out of nearby Vancouver, the city has changed in recent years. It害羞草研究所檚 now skewing much younger.
The economic impact of the tech industry in Kelowna is currently $1.3 billion, with 633 companies as of fall 2016 employing 7,600 people. And 52 per cent of those workers are below the age of 35.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e basically changing the demographics of this whole area,害羞草研究所� says Raghwa Gopal, CEO of Accelerate Okanagan and a 40-year resident of the city.
Accelerate Okanagan, a non-profit organization that was started seven years ago, is the primary tenant of a brand-new $11-million innovation centre in Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 downtown core.
Gopal says seven years ago it would have been difficult to 害羞草研究所渆ven dream害羞草研究所� of a place like the innovation centre, but with Kelowna having the fastest-growing tech hub in the country, it was time for a change.
害羞草研究所淵ou come downtown Sunday evening and there are actually people walking around, going to restaurants, and it has definitely spurred a lot of new businesses,害羞草研究所� says Gopal.
害羞草研究所淎 lot more younger people are coming into town, sure, but we have two high-level post-secondary institutions here (the University of British Columbia害羞草研究所檚 Okanagan Campus and Okanagan College) and we害羞草研究所檙e starting to keep a lot more of those graduating students in town.害羞草研究所�
Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran says young people were leaving Kelowna for opportunities, but that trend害羞草研究所檚 now changing.
害羞草研究所淵oung people are recognizing there are opportunities in our city, and a lot more of them are staying,害羞草研究所� says Basran, who points to a recent study by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, which named Kelowna as one of the top cities in Canada for entrepreneurs, as a key reason younger people have decided to stick around.
害羞草研究所淭he more businesses that are here, and can flourish 害羞草研究所� that speaks to the whole 害羞草研究所榩roviding opportunity害羞草研究所� piece that we害羞草研究所檙e proud of,害羞草研究所� Basran explains. 害羞草研究所淲e don害羞草研究所檛 want to rest on that though. There害羞草研究所檚 a great entrepreneurial spirit in our city.害羞草研究所�
One of the businesses making a name for itself 害羞草研究所� and finding quick success 害羞草研究所� is BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery.
The craft brewery and restaurant, just a few blocks from the innovation centre, and located in a building that was formerly home to the British North American Tobacco Company (hence,害羞草研究所滲NA害羞草研究所�) has been getting rave reviews from local and tourist diners alike. And it害羞草研究所檚 not just food and craft beer they害羞草研究所檙e known for 芒鈧π卟菅芯克鶟 Cintas Canada Ltd. named them a finalist in the company害羞草研究所檚 sixth annual Canada害羞草研究所檚 Best Restroom competition in 2015.
Marketing director Jill Jarrett says the brewery害羞草研究所檚 rapid expansion is a microcosm of Kelowna itself.
害羞草研究所淚ts success and the way it害羞草研究所檚 been received is a reflection of what害羞草研究所檚 been going on in the city, and the demands of the people who are deciding to stay here,害羞草研究所� says Jarrett, noting BNA expanded its footprint just a year into operation.
Basran says the next thing Kelowna will be known for, beyond tech, is microbreweries and cideries.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e seeing an influx of those popping up in our community, and all of them are top-notch,害羞草研究所� he says.
And Jarrett states 害羞草研究所渟taying local害羞草研究所� has been a key reason for BNA害羞草研究所檚 quick success.
害羞草研究所淭he types of cuisine we have are anything but local. We害羞草研究所檝e had Indian- and Asian-inspired things on the menu, we害羞草研究所檝e got Italian too, but our chef takes inspiration from all these worldwide cuisines and showcases Okanagan ingredients within them. Our menu changes seasonally because of that,害羞草研究所� she says.
Along with more than 20 wineries in the area offering tours and tastings and an annual wine festival, visitors can enjoy beautiful vistas of orchards and mountains surrounding the Okanagan Valley city. There害羞草研究所檚 a waterfront park and plenty of beaches for swimming, paddling and other water-based activities. Hiking, golf, museums and farmers markets mean there害羞草研究所檚 something for everyone.
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If You Go害羞草研究所�
Kelowna Travel Guide:
BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery:
Mission Hill Winery:
Adam Stanley, The Canadian Press
