KELOWNA, B.C. — B.C. Premier David Eby made a stop in Kelowna to take a tour of Farming Karma. The Premier was seeing for himself the results of a $2 million investment from the province to help the canned beverage maker bring more processing in-house. The company has since doubled production and hired 20 additional workers, with plans to add more.
Following the success of the investment, Eby announced 4 other companies will receive funding to expand production and create more than 100 new jobs in the Interior. $6.75 million will support four businesses through the province’s BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, creating more than $60 million in capital investment across the region.
Eby said the investments are part of the government’s Look West plan, which focuses on growing made-in-B.C. products and helping local businesses scale up to meet demand.
“More Canadians than ever want to buy products that support home-grown B.C. businesses,” Eby said, “The program helps companies grow while creating sustainable jobs throughout the province.”
The new funding includes up to $5.5 million for Mako Wood Furniture to build a new manufacturing facility in Merritt, creating 29 jobs, while retaining its Surrey operations. Good Way Homes will receive $625,000 to construct a prefabricated housing facility in Malakwa, adding 27 jobs. Dinoflex Group is set to receive $410,000 to upgrade its Salmon Arm facility, where it produces flooring and tiles made from recycled rubber, creating seven jobs. Kinetic Custom Trailers will receive $216,000 to expand its Penticton operations and add 38 jobs.
Since its launch, the province says the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund has supported 156 capital projects, with more than $1.2 billion in total investment and more than 2,100 jobs created, according to the government.
