Many communities tried to make Economic Development work and to show that the investment of tax dollars is worth it.

Osoyoos, Oliver, Ok Falls and other small communities have toyed with it but ultimately cut that budget and got some one inside or some one outside the organization to do parts of that job.

Like a Chamber of Commerce in Summerland, Destinations in Osoyoos etc.

At a recent RDOS meeting a joint services proposal for Economic Development in the whole region was passed and sent out to municipal members – many of which were cool to the idea. Not sure where that will go.

Economic Development is sometimes thought as a bottomless pit – a cash drain.

Most communities have a planning, development services, building official office where the bulk
of economic building is discussed and approved.

Penticton – a large city is now the only area that has a fully staffed Economic Development Office – but that too comes under a lot of criticism as a agency that gives out grants and promotes tourist opportunities.