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.

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

Faces of Rutland: Meet Karrin Morris, owner of Rutland’s beloved Burger Baron

Article written by Sofia Pangalos

Originally constructed to host a fun-loving Tastee Freez location, Rutland’s beloved Burger Baron, located at 140 Rutland Rd N, has garnered loyal support from every corner of our city.

For six decades, Burger Baron has been delighting Kelowna with mouthwatering burgers, milkshakes, and more, including vegetarian options, all at an affordable price. First nestling themselves into their vibrant location on Rutland Rd in 1992.

Driven by her entrepreneurial spirit, Karrin Morris assumed ownership of Burger Baron in 2017 after accumulating years of experience working for franchises. Since then, she’s witnessed firsthand how the community around her has flourished.

“The beautification of Rutland is stunning, with the flowers, parks and revitalization of the infrastructure including Centennial Park & sidewalks… I’m excited to see this next phase of our community,” she says.

Morris’s admiration for Rutland is undeniable in the way she cares for its people, some of whom she considers family. “They welcomed me with open arms with their friendliness and sense of community & neighborly spirit…with my neighboring businesses, we are really one big happy family,” she explains.

From sponsoring programs like the RSS work experience program and teams like the Kelowna Chiefs to providing a bursary for individuals, she does her part to help the community thrive. Karrin is also heavily involved in a variety of community events, and she serves as a Director on the Board for the Uptown Rutland Business Association (URBA) which she commends for giving her a “huge opportunity to meet other business owners.”

Morris extends her heartfelt gratitude to the Okanagan community for their ongoing support and unwavering love for Burger Baron.

For inquiries, please contact:

Shaida Zsombor

(206) 292-9164

szsombor@goldnps.com

Highlights of July 24 Council Meeting

2023 Valleywide Business Expo

The annual Valleywide Business Expo is an opportunity for businesses to promote themselves and their products to vendors and the public from across the Okanagan Valley!

Book your spot before July 31st and receive 15% off with early bird pricing!

Contact your local Chamber for more information and to register today!

Summer is Here, Kelowna!

Check out some of the upcoming events that you can discover in Kelowna this summer: 

July 29 - Truss the Process - City Park

Aug 11-13 - Rock the Lake - Prospera Place 

Aug 16 - Interior Savings Moonlight Movie - City Park 

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!

New Grant Can Be Used Toward Short-term Skills Training Courses

$3,500 available per person

The $3,500 per person grant was announced earlier this year as part of the Province’s StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan, which invests $480 million into skills training and workforce development. "Every action we are taking is designed to build a better future for people and a stronger economy for B.C.," said Selina Robinson, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. "The new future skills grant will reduce financial barriers for people to acquire the skills and find the opportunities they need to thrive, and employers will be able to access the talent they need to sustain and grow their businesses."

Okanagan College, offers over 30 courses qualified for future skills grant funding. “The future skills grant will make many short-term skills training and focused learning options more accessible to more people,” said Neil Fassina, president, Okanagan College. Learn more on the Okanagan College.

Are you a job seeker 55 years of age or older?

Options 55+ is specifically designed to assist job seekers 55 years of age or older to re-enter the workforce. This program, offered by Kelowna Community Resources (KCR), provides you with what you need to be successful: One-to-one support, group training modules and workshops, computer training, assistance in job search and much more.

In addition, KCR partners with local community agencies, provides follow-up support and assists you to attain skills training to prepare for work in your chosen career. All services are customized to what you need!

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.