Working together on the economy

The City of Penticton is setting up a collaborative partnership aimed at the collective objective of developing Penticton’s economy.

Working with 12 other organizations, the concept is to formalize how information is shared, priorities are set and common interests are identified when working towards that goal.

The Penticton Economic Development Partnership includes Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen, the Downtown Penticton Association, Okanagan College, the Penticton Indian Band and Penticton Indian Band Development Corporation, Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, Penticton Industrial Development Association, Penticton Airport, Travel Penticton, SOS Local Immigration Partnership, South Okanagan Immigrant & Community Services and the University of British Columbia.

“We are determined to develop a government and economic system that supports members equally and addresses poverty in every way we can,” said Jonathan Baynes, CEO of the PIBDC. “Working in partnership with the other economic players in the region is a critical part of this process.”

Anthony Haddad, director of development services, said they are hoping to add more organizations as time goes on.

“There are a number of other organizations that we look forward to bringing to the table,” said Haddad, responding to Coun. Andre Martin’s question why groups like the Canadian Federation of Independent Business weren’t included. But for now, he said it was important to build momentum with the group.

“Getting to know what each organization does has been an important focus of getting everyone up to speed on their various priorities,” said Haddad.

Haddad said there are a number of benefits coming out of the partnerships, like finding cost savings initiatives that organizations can work together on rather than each group budgeting the same thing for the same project.

“I think it’s extremely important for us to break down some of the silos that these organizations have operated in for quite some time,” said Coun. Max Picton. “We all live, work and play in the same community.”

Related: Penticton building on last year’s business development growth