The grand opening of a new business park in the South Okanagan was held on Friday, and there are hopes it will boost economic opportunities for one First Nations group.
Osoyoos Indian Band unveiled the Senkulmen Business Park, which is located on Highway 97 at the north end of the Osoyoos Indian Band reserve near Oliver, at the ceremony.
The Band hopes the hub will attract a new wave of commercial, light industrial and institutional businesses to the region.
“I want the Osoyoos Indian Band to have opportunities,” said Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band. “We want to be part of the economy plain and simple.”
Construction has already begun on a wine distribution centre in the first phase development of the park.
The hub will eventually accommodate up to 40 business tenants and there are hopes it will create about 1,000 new manufacturing and supporting jobs in the area.
“I want to see jobs created, whether it’s the Osoyoos First Nations, Westbank, Penticton, Okanagan or any First Nations across this country,” Louie said.
“People are moving businesses here and businesses need services,” said Oliver Mayor Pat Hampson. “There will be employees some of whom may move to this area.”
The Band has invested more than $4.5 million in the development of the business park, including $1.5 million for the construction of a new interchange on Highway 97.
“When a First Nation becomes an economic powerhouse, that’s when you get more respect and more of a building relationship because business is all about relationships,” Louie said.
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