Town council is deliberating on the Chamber’s plan to revive economic development in Oliver.
The South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce wants to revive economic development in Oliver and is asking for the Town’s help.
Chamber president Myers Bennett addressed Town council last week and presented a three-year strategic plan.
Bennett said the Town and Area C have been without a formal economic development office for six years, and now the Chamber foresees the need to revive that function.
“There is a lot of exciting things happening in Oliver,” Bennett said, citing the re-opening of Mount Baldy ski hill and the construction of the Okanagan Correctional Centre.
Bennett said the Chamber believes that a lot of people will be moving to Oliver looking for work and starting new businesses.
Bonnie Dancey, the Chamber’s chief executive officer, said Oliver and Area C are approaching an opportune time for economic development. She also believes there will be many new opportunities for growth and new business interest.
Dancey noted that the Chamber has made contact with the Bejiing Economic Development Commission regarding Oliver’s hotel proposal. It has also promoted the hotel proposal to Accent Inns.
Dancey said they are working with Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce to develop tourism opportunities for Oliver and Area C.
In her report, Dancey stated the Chamber is proposing a shared community development function with the Town. It suggests a three-year, $40,000 per year fee for service to the Chamber to accommodate a research assistant position in the Chamber office in Oliver. Plus a $20,000 annual contingency fund for approved projects.
Bennett said as Oliver grows, the Town will need an economic development officer, but in the meantime the Chamber wants to establish a research assistant. This will help any small business coming to Town looking for information, as opposed to leaving the area frustrated because there is no economic development function, he pointed out.
The total budget for the plan is approximately $67,000, with the Town and Area C each contributing over $20,000 per year.
Dancey highlighted some sample projects for 2015: Produce a video of Oliver and area, featuring information on business, agriculture and industry sectors; and develop a working relationship with the Oliver Tourism Association and Destination Osoyoos to find an airline to promote small tours in the area.
Sample projects for 2016: Create a “welcome to Oliver” package for all Okanagan Correctional Centre employees; and create an up-to-date listing of all area businesses on the Chamber database (no requirement to be a member).
Sample projects for 2017: Develop a “farm to table” program with a major event to highlight local agricultural products; and work with Okanagan College to provide small business training.
Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes said council will deliberate on the Chamber’s plan.
