UPDATE: 10:40 a.m The federal government is opening offices for the relatively new business finance company in Kelowna and Cranbrook. International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan spoke at the Kelowna Innovation Center Wednesday morning, announcing new Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacificCan) offices where local businesses can seek federal funding. PacificCan was created last year when the former Western Economic Diversification Canada split into Pacific Economic Development Canada and Prairies Economic Development Canada. More than $495 million in federal funding has been invested in 1,000 active projects in BC, $129 million of which came in the past year. “What I found … is when you have the municipality, the business community and Indigenous leadership, when you work in synergy, that’s when real development happens. And we see that all the time here,” Minister Sajjan said. “There’s no reason why this area can’t attract even more companies, more employees.” In addition to announcing the new offices, Minister Sajjan also announced four Interior businesses that will receive new funding from PacificCan, including Kelowna-based Pela. Pela, based in the Innovation Center building, makes compostable phone cases and other items. They will receive $3.6 million through PacificCan’s Business Scale Up and Productivity program to hire new staff and build new facilities. “Having PacificCan here on the ground in this community is so valuable to the business community and the community at large,” said Jeremy Lang, founder of Pela. “By helping us grow our business, we’re able to create more jobs and create a more sustainable community and create an environment where people can make careers here.” Lang noted that his company had just five employees in 2018, but now the company employs more than 100 people in the community and ships products around the world. Vernon’s Great West Equipment, a heavy equipment dealer, will also receive $190,000 in new PacificCan funding to help expand its dealer network. Valid Manufacturing, based in Nelson and Salmon Arm, will receive $1.6 million while Phoenix Advanced Material in Trail will receive $1 million. Madison Erhardt ORIGINAL: 9:10am The International Development Minister is in Kelowna on Thursday to make a funding announcement. Minister Harjit S. Sajjan will announce the opening of new PacifiCan offices and targeted funding to help local businesses and create jobs. Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacificCan) is the Government of Canada’s regional development agency focused on the economy of British Columbia. PacifiCan helps build a strong, competitive Canadian economy by supporting business, innovation and community economic development unique to British Columbia. The event will be held at Accelerate Okanagan on Doyle Avenue. The announcement will include remarks from Sajjan and a question and answer session with the media. Castanet will broadcast the event live from 9:30am Photo: Government of Canada
