Thank you to our Sponsors!

The Woods at Willow Park

Open House:

Saturday, June 24th from 9am-4pm

235 Hollywood Road North @ Willow Park Shopping Centre

Come for a tour of show suites!

Studio, One and Two-Bed apartments available See the great views from the roof top patio.

Conveniently located at Willow Park Shopping Centre - close to everything you need. Groceries, Restaurants, Service Amenities

Celebrate Canada Day in Kelowna

11:00am-10:30pm ~ 24th Annual Canada Day Festival, Waterfront Park

10:00am-3:30pm ~ 48th Annual Folkfest, Prospera Place

10:00am-12:00pm~ Kelowna City Concert Band Canada Day Concert, Prospera Place Plaza

10:00am-4:00pm ~ Art Exhibitions + Family Art Activities – Free admission to view Takao Tanabe: Printmaker (Kelowna Art Gallery)

11:00am-9:00pm ~ Canada Day Bazaar (grass hill near Concession Plaza on beach side of park)

11:00am-10:00pm ~ Taste of Canada Food Fair (Tugboat Beach)

10:00pm - 10:30pm ~ Canada Day Fireworks (Tugboat Bay) presented in part by the City of Kelowna, Shoreline Pile Driving and Festivals Kelowna

Community Safety Toolkits Available

URBA ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE

Annual Membership Fee: $199

Interested in becoming an Associate Member of the Uptown Rutland Business Improvement Association (URBIA)?

Associate memberships are perfect for professional individuals, businesses, property owners or organizations that are not located within the physical boundaries of the URBIA and would like to be part of the thriving and supportive business community URBA has to offer. Home-based and remote businesses will be accepted.

Associate Members do not receive a vote at the Annual General Meeting.

Benefits of Associate Membership:

• Listing on the URBA website with a reciprocal link on the associate member’s website

• Receive URBA e-newsletters and group emails

• Serve on URBA committees

• Attend URBA After Hours and other events (grow your business network)

• Advertising opportunities – to be involved in various advertising ventures URBA undertakes ie. various Kelowna print & digital media

For any inquiries, please contact Executive Director

Karen Beaubier at executivedirector@uptownrutland.com

Start Checking-In With Your #exploreKelowna Uptown Rutland Murals Pass

The #exploreKelowna Uptown Rutland Murals Pass has been updated!

This new version is check-in style, using your phone's GPS. All you need to do is visit the murals and check-in. After you've visited all murals, you're eligible to receive a Tourism Kelowna branded t-shirt.

Pathways to Progress 

Adapting & Thriving Amid Rapid Change

On Friday, June 2, City of Kelowna released the 2022 Annual Report detailing the City’s financial activities, major projects, opportunities, challenges and achievements for the prior fiscal year. It’s an important document that helps keep our community informed on the work we do—together with our residents and community partners—to ensure Kelowna remains a great place to live and do business. 

As one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, Kelowna is rapidly evolving. Our economy is diversifying, many of our neighbourhoods are transforming, and we’re becoming a more urban and dynamic city.

Adapting and thriving amid rapid change requires a strong compass—guided by a shared vision—to lead the way, not only defining where and how we grow but also how we will protect our environment, community assets, and everything we already love about our city.

Backed by data driven decision-making to guide our work and create a better city, this and other foundational work completed in 2022 is setting us on a path toward exciting possibilities and creative solutions to local issues.

The Business of Crime is Bad for Business

Kelowna Chamber's Quarterly Membership Breakfast focus on a safer City

The tourists are coming but there doesn’t seem to be any relief in site for businesses being impacted by vandalism, open drug use, and property crime. The Chamber's June Quarterly Membership Meeting hosts the City of Kelowna’s Community Safety Director, Darren Caul who will outline what action the City of Kelowna is undertaking to create a safer city.

Open to everyone, members receive a member discount to attend the Quarterly Membership Meeting. Read more and register at the link below.

Splash into Summer 

Kelowna's Latest Activity & Program Guide is Here!

Bump, set and spike into action with Kelowna’s Summer Activity & Program Guide. This season’s guide features hundreds of exciting ways for residents of all ages and abilities to stay active, get creative or try something new. General registration starts today!

BC Chamber of Commerce Launches Labour Market Gap Report

The BC Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the launch of the highly anticipated “Addressing the Labour Market Gap Report”, funded by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.

This report is the culmination of an extensive research effort, drawing upon the valuable input of 1,225 jobseekers and 812 employers. The provincial survey presents insights that will inform the solutions needed to bridge the gap between employer expectations and jobseeker aspirations.

The report identifies a number of gaps, that include:

• Just over 50% of employers described challenges finding qualified candidates within the salary range they offered, while nearly 50% of jobseekers found it challenging to find jobs that met their salary expectations.

• Jobseekers are struggling to identify and negotiate compensation for the work they seek. Employers are struggling to find time to administer a recruitment process and define a salary range.

• Over 60% of employers reported having a range of employee policies in the workplace including on-the-job training, role expectations and conflict resolution, yet the majority of jobseekers cited a lack of such policies in their previous workplace.

Access the full report by clicking the button below.

Business Continuity Resources



Being prepared for emergencies is crucial for the safety and well-being of ourselves, our loved ones, and our businesses.

We understand the importance of being proactive and ready for any unexpected events. That's why we encourage you to check out our Business Continuity Resources page, where you'll find helpful tips and resources to help you prepare for emergencies that could impact your business.

Let's work together to be proactive and stay informed.

Level Up Local Tech Grant Returns



Applications are open for the 2023 Level Up Local grant, developed in partnership between Prospera Credit Union and Accelerate Okanagan.

This funding opportunity is designed to assist small businesses located in the Okanagan that are needing a boost to their tech strategy and tools.

It can cover many costs including; optimizing SEO, creating social media and digital marketing campaigns, website development, or even software and hardware costs that enable operational efficiency and business growth. 

Wage Subsidy Funding for Youth

The Get Youth Working! Program offers eligible employers in BC a negotiated wage subsidy as an incentive to hire eligible youth age 16 to 29. 

You conduct your own recruiting. At any time during the recruiting process you can complete and submit an online application, which can be completed in less than 5 minutes. The approval process is quick and easy. If you and your proposed new hire meet the program criteria, you are eligible for the funding.

For program information click the button below, call 877.866.3100 option 1 or email gyw@bowmanemployment.com.

Want to Win Cash Prizes and Take Your Business Global?

Applications are now open for the 2023 Startup Global Pitch Competition!

The Startup Global Pitch Competition is back! This year, they are offering two ways to participate - virtually, through the general online application process or in-person at one of their Startup Canada Tour locations!