Community and Economic Information

View Penticton's Stats, Highlights, and Competitive Advantages

About Penticton:

Penticton is the hub city of the South Okanagan-Similkameen region and is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Syilx/Okanagan People. With a catchment area of over 100,000 people, a regional airport, state-of-the-art event centre, and only one of two cities in the world that is situated between two lakes, Penticton offers a highly sought-after lifestyle and opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses alike.

About Naramata (Wine Country):

Wine Country is the Chamber's reference to Naramata and the Naramata bench, home to one of Canada's premier wine regions featuring over 40 wineries. It also features amazing views overlooking Okanagan Lake, the Kettle Valley Railroad trail including trestles and 'Little Tunnel', and Naramata Creek Falls.

Employment Opportunities:

CHAMBER JOB BOARD WORKBC SOUTH OKANAGAN CASTANET

Business Resources:

Did you know...

We Have a Regional Airport

Businesses and residents alike in Penticton and throughout the South Okanagan are fortunate to have a regional airport, with regular flights to Vancouver and Calgary’s International Airports. Owned and operated by Transport Canada, Penticton’s YYF serves as a major gateway for tourists, particularly during world renowned events such as Ironman or Granfondo, as well as delegates attending a conference, or exploring any one of dozens of wineries and vineyards along the Naramata bench, and south to Oliver and Osoyoos. Professionals and tradespeople who often work out of town, as well as remote workers visiting their branch/head offices also benefit from YYF's connectivity to the rest of the country and beyond.

We Have Some of the Best Water In Canada

It’s a nice local’s benefit to have access to some of the best water in the country at the turn of the tap, but for industries such as breweries, cideries, and distilleries, it’s a MUST. One of the reasons why Penticton is known as the “Craft Beer Capital of Canada” is because we have access to some of the highest quality fresh water in the entire country. The City knows how important water quality is for our local brewers, and will even reach out if the water source has to be temporarily changed, allowing production schedules to be paused to ensure only the best water and finished product is poured into every can and bottle. That is an advantage you just can't find in a large metropolitan centre.

Penticton Owns its Electric Utility

As one of only five cities in British Columbia, the City of Penticton provides electrical service to the community’s residential, commercial, and industrial customers. This provides a significant advantage to industries requiring access to large amounts of clean and reliable energy as they can work directly with City Utility staff rather than having to navigate the bureaucracy and timetables of large corporations. The tech sector, including the 3D printing industry, would particularly benefit from this streamlined relationship.

The community as a whole also benefits from owning our own electricity, because instead of dividends going to corporate shareholders, those funds stay in the City and are used to maintain and invest in Penticton's infrastructure.