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 香蕉视频直播� 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 香蕉视频直播� 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香蕉视频直播檚 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.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e basically changing the demographics of this whole area,香蕉视频直播� 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香蕉视频直播檚 downtown core.
Gopal says seven years ago it would have been difficult to 香蕉视频直播渆ven dream香蕉视频直播� 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.
香蕉视频直播淵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,香蕉视频直播� says Gopal.
香蕉视频直播淎 lot more younger people are coming into town, sure, but we have two high-level post-secondary institutions here (the University of British Columbia香蕉视频直播檚 Okanagan Campus and Okanagan College) and we香蕉视频直播檙e starting to keep a lot more of those graduating students in town.香蕉视频直播�
Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran says young people were leaving Kelowna for opportunities, but that trend香蕉视频直播檚 now changing.
香蕉视频直播淵oung people are recognizing there are opportunities in our city, and a lot more of them are staying,香蕉视频直播� 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.
香蕉视频直播淭he more businesses that are here, and can flourish 香蕉视频直播� that speaks to the whole 香蕉视频直播榩roviding opportunity香蕉视频直播� piece that we香蕉视频直播檙e proud of,香蕉视频直播� Basran explains. 香蕉视频直播淲e don香蕉视频直播檛 want to rest on that though. There香蕉视频直播檚 a great entrepreneurial spirit in our city.香蕉视频直播�
One of the businesses making a name for itself 香蕉视频直播� and finding quick success 香蕉视频直播� 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,香蕉视频直播滲NA香蕉视频直播�) has been getting rave reviews from local and tourist diners alike. And it香蕉视频直播檚 not just food and craft beer they香蕉视频直播檙e known for 芒鈧憬妒悠抵辈 Cintas Canada Ltd. named them a finalist in the company香蕉视频直播檚 sixth annual Canada香蕉视频直播檚 Best Restroom competition in 2015.
Marketing director Jill Jarrett says the brewery香蕉视频直播檚 rapid expansion is a microcosm of Kelowna itself.
香蕉视频直播淚ts success and the way it香蕉视频直播檚 been received is a reflection of what香蕉视频直播檚 been going on in the city, and the demands of the people who are deciding to stay here,香蕉视频直播� 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.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e seeing an influx of those popping up in our community, and all of them are top-notch,香蕉视频直播� he says.
And Jarrett states 香蕉视频直播渟taying local香蕉视频直播� has been a key reason for BNA香蕉视频直播檚 quick success.
香蕉视频直播淭he types of cuisine we have are anything but local. We香蕉视频直播檝e had Indian- and Asian-inspired things on the menu, we香蕉视频直播檝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,香蕉视频直播� 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香蕉视频直播檚 a waterfront park and plenty of beaches for swimming, paddling and other water-based activities. Hiking, golf, museums and farmers markets mean there香蕉视频直播檚 something for everyone.
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If You Go香蕉视频直播�
Kelowna Travel Guide:
BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery:
Mission Hill Winery:
Adam Stanley, The Canadian Press
