Some say our valley will continue to grow and prosper; to continue to emerge as a prosperous region envied throughout the world for its ability to attract new business, manage growth and compete globally.
But some predict a less promising future. A future in which our renowned Okanagan landscape has given way to increased suburban sprawl, our economy is fueled by low skilled, low-paying jobs and our environment is hurt by a failure to manage the watershed and the air we all share.
Thankfully there is time still to plan and to choose the future we want. And time to consider what drives the Okanagan’s current and future economy and what can be done collectively to support sustainable growth.
That’s where the Okanagan Partnership fits in. The OP are leaders from First Nations, business, education, government and the community who have joined together to identify ways they can work together to maximize the Okanagan’s advantages and help it prosper.
Work undertaken by the Partnership includes development of a Regional Competitiveness Strategy and the identification of industry clusters – groups of related businesses and organizations within industry sectors.
These clusters – tourism, wine, knowledge services, life sciences, forestry and value added wood products, aviation, value-added agriculture – are working in unison to identify problems and develop collaborative strategies that will promote sustainable growth and strengthen regional competitiveness.
Our goal, as we sit at the proverbial fork in the road, is to envision the future we want and to realize that future.
It’s all about choices. About choosing the future we want.
Watch the Two Tomorrows Video and learn how the choices we make today can impact tomorrow’s economy and quality of life.
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