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Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1498118
34 INVEST in BC 2 0 2 3 Official Publication of the BC Economic Development Association. In special partnership with BCBusiness. THOMPSON-OKANAGAN ▷ Barriere ▷ Cache Creek ▷ Clearwater ▷ Clinton ▷ Golden ▷ Kamloops ▷ Kelowna ▷ Lytton ▷ Merritt ▷ Oliver ▷ Osoyoos ▷ Peachland ▷ Penticton ▷ Princeton ▷ Revelstoke ▷ Salmon Arm ▷ Summerland ▷ Vernon SHARE OF B.C. POPULATION 12% Migrant Haven The southern Interior's economy has been bolstered by an influx of remote workers W ith its sunny climate, abundance of lakes, mountains and vineyards and moderate cost of living, the Thompson Okanagan region is a choice destination for the growing ranks of remote workers able to do their jobs from anywhere, as long as there's high-bandwidth internet access. Research conducted by the City of Penticton, host community for the BCEDA 2023 BC Economic Summit, showed that, contrary to expectations, just 9% of people who moved to the South Okanagan community in 2022 were over 65. More than three- quarters were working-aged migrants aged 19-65 and 27%, young families with children. Just 21% of these new arrivals described themselves as retired. Migration isn't just a factor in Penticton. The population of the Thompson Okanagan as a whole rose 10.7% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, more than any other region. Kelowna and Kamloops both saw population increases in the double digits over the five-year period, placing them among Canada's five fastest- growing metropolitan areas. The Kelowna area was the national leader, growing 14% between the last two censuses to 220,000. NEXT DESTINATION: Nestled between Okanagan and Skaha lakes, Penticton will host the BCEDA 2023 BC Economic Summit