Manager ready to pitch Vernon

Published: May 19, 2009 7:00 PM Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star

Vernon’s new economic development officer is already singing the praises of the community. Kevin Poole has been on the job for a couple of weeks and he’s convinced there are numerous opportunities. “There’s a very strong downtown core and there’s room for redevelopment,” he said. “There is also potential around the airport and how it coincides with waterfront development.” Most recently, Poole was the economic development officer in Mission and he is vice-president of the Economic Development Association of B.C. Now that he is in Vernon, his first major goal is to establish a terms of reference for the economic development function. The City of Vernon took over the economic development function Jan. 1 from the North Okanagan Regional District. But Poole also wants to make sure people in the community know who he is.“I need to get out to the bigger employers and the smaller businesses to get their thoughts on what we are doing right and wrong in terms as a city,” said Poole.

“The area has lost the glass plant and Bigfoot Industries has closed down so on my list is talking to Tolko, Kal Tire and Acutruss to see how they are doing and to determine what their long-term plans are.” One focus for Poole will be the ongoing lack of industrial land in Vernon, but he isn’t sure if that will mean working with neighbouring communities that have available property. “That will have to be a discussion with council and staff,” he said.