There’s growing questions as to whether the new valley-wide business licence for the Okanagan is part of a convenient plan to centralize an Okanagan-wide business inventory in the central Okanagan as part of the new super regional district initiative.
One by one valley municipalities have joined the proposed initiative seeks to establish a system for mobile businesses to obtain one licence valid throughout the valley, instead of having one for each individual jurisdiction.
One by one valley municipalities have joined the proposed initiative seeks to establish a system for mobile businesses to obtain one licence valid throughout the valley, instead of having one for each individual jurisdiction.
The initiative is managed from the offices of the Central Okanagan Regional District.
The Village of Lumby gave the green light to a valley-wide licence for mobile businesses that allows the village to participate in the program that covers communities throughout the Okanagan, as well as the Shuswap and Similkameen.
Mayor Eric Foster believes the new program is just a simple expansion of an ongoing program that the village had been part of already.
“We’ve had it in the North Okanagan for two years,” he said.
For an extra $100, North Okanagan businesses have been able to get a licence for Armstrong, Coldstream Enderby, Lumby, Vernon, Spallumcheen and Salmon Arm.
The new valley-wide project would be similar. For $150 a business could gain access to all of those market areas plus the Central Okanagan Regional District, Lake Country, Osoyoos, Kelowna, Peachland, Keremeos, Oliver, Penticton, Princeton and Summerland.
Most recently, Vernon’s mayor Wayne Lippert presented information on the single business license. After his presentation, the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors unanimously passed a motion supporting the establishment of a single business license for mobile businesses.
The chamber believes the creation of a single business license will have a positive impact on the economy of Vernon, and will still preserve the City’s ability to regulate business activity within their jurisdiction.
Foster told media that he is not concerned a single business licence will allow large Kelowna-based contractors to pursue projects in Lumby and take away work from local residents.
“For those big outfits, what difference does it make if they have to buy a $150 licence?” he said.
“I have never heard anyone say they won’t come to Lumby to paint houses because they have to pay for a licence.”
The new valley-wide program is for a one-year trial period. “At the end of that year, if it’s not working the way it’s supposed to, change it,” said, Foster.
The Village of Lumby gave the green light to a valley-wide licence for mobile businesses that allows the village to participate in the program that covers communities throughout the Okanagan, as well as the Shuswap and Similkameen.
Mayor Eric Foster believes the new program is just a simple expansion of an ongoing program that the village had been part of already.
“We’ve had it in the North Okanagan for two years,” he said.
For an extra $100, North Okanagan businesses have been able to get a licence for Armstrong, Coldstream Enderby, Lumby, Vernon, Spallumcheen and Salmon Arm.
The new valley-wide project would be similar. For $150 a business could gain access to all of those market areas plus the Central Okanagan Regional District, Lake Country, Osoyoos, Kelowna, Peachland, Keremeos, Oliver, Penticton, Princeton and Summerland.
Most recently, Vernon’s mayor Wayne Lippert presented information on the single business license. After his presentation, the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors unanimously passed a motion supporting the establishment of a single business license for mobile businesses.
The chamber believes the creation of a single business license will have a positive impact on the economy of Vernon, and will still preserve the City’s ability to regulate business activity within their jurisdiction.
Foster told media that he is not concerned a single business licence will allow large Kelowna-based contractors to pursue projects in Lumby and take away work from local residents.
“For those big outfits, what difference does it make if they have to buy a $150 licence?” he said.
“I have never heard anyone say they won’t come to Lumby to paint houses because they have to pay for a licence.”
The new valley-wide program is for a one-year trial period. “At the end of that year, if it’s not working the way it’s supposed to, change it,” said, Foster.
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