JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023 BCBUSINESS.CA 39 LIONEL TRUDEL
Category weights shown in brackets. Full methodology on page 40
RENTAL VACANCY RATE
PER 10,000
POPULATION (10%)
RESIDENTIAL
SALES PER 10,000
POPULATION (10%)
HOUSING STARTS
PER 10,000
POPULATION (10%)
CHANGE IN JOBS
PER 10,000
POPULATION (10%)
AVERAGE ANNUAL
UNEMPLOYMENT
RATE (10%)
ECONOMIC
DIVERSITY
(15%)
2022
RANK
0.6% 112 128 397 5.0% 859
35
1.3% 83 17 150 5.1% 754
36
1.8% 157 32 397 5.0% 798
37
1.0% 117 40 150 5.1% 751
38
0.8% 122 22 359 5.7% 781
39
0.5% 123 50 147 4.5% 849
40
2.2% 139 81 28 4.8% 776
41
0.0% 115 12 150 5.1% 710
42
0.6% 102 46 150 5.1% 738
43
2.2% 126 36 28 4.8% 779
44
11.9% 149 19 162 4.6% 739
45
14.2% 129 36 43 5.0% 860
46
4.6% 112 8 43 5.0% 875
47
1.2% 121 20 147 4.5% 866
48
9.5% 160 0 162 4.6% 796
49
2.3% 109 11 28 4.8% 1,053
50
and the District of Summerland support-
ing more legal suites in existing and new
houses. These changes are much wel-
comed, notes Coletta, but she asserts that
there is still far more that needs to be done:
"I think all of that is positive, but it's just a
fraction of what we really need."
On a brighter note, local business lead-
ers in Summerland remain undeterred by
the community's current trials. "I think
our time in the spotlight is about to come,"
affirms Coletta.
"I would say, keep Summerland on your
radar over the next few years," echoes an
equally optimistic Parsons. The recent com-
pletion of new strategic plans for tourism, a
downtown revitalization and development
at the waterfront are all signs of community
partners coming together in support of an
ambitious long-term vision for their town.
£
LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR
Okanagan Crush Pad
co-founder Christine
Coletta says the city's
residents helped local
businesses through
tough times
