BC Invests $6.75M, Creates 101 Jobs in Okanagan

British Columbia is betting big on homegrown businesses, and the Okanagan region is reaping the rewards with 101 new jobs coming to four local manufacturers.

Premier David Eby announced $6.75 million in funding from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund on April 8, visiting Kelowna's Farming Karma to share the news. The investment spans four companies across the region, each poised to expand operations and hire dozens of workers.

Mako Wood Furniture is taking the lion's share with $5.5 million to build an entirely new facility in Merritt, creating 29 jobs. The Surrey-based furniture maker is bringing production to the Interior, strengthening the region's manufacturing footprint.

Good Way Homes landed $625,000 to build a new manufacturing space in Malakwa and purchase equipment that will triple their production capacity. CEO Logan Ashley called the funding a "game-changer" as the company prepares to add 27 positions.

In Salmon Arm, Dinoflex Group received $410,000 to upgrade its facility where recycled rubber becomes flooring and tiles. The eco-friendly manufacturer will add seven jobs while expanding its reach across North America.

Penticton's Kinetic Custom Trailers is getting $216,000 to open an additional facility for heavy-duty industrial trailer production. The expansion will boost efficiency and create 38 new jobs, the largest single employment gain in the announcement.

The Ripple Effect

The funding does more than create paychecks. It strengthens entire communities by keeping manufacturing jobs local and meeting growing demand for Canadian-made products.

Farming Karma proves the model works. The Kelowna beverage company received $2 million in March 2025 and has already doubled production and hired 20 people. CEO Avi Gill says the support helped them upcycle imperfect fruit into farm-to-table drinks while slashing waste.

The companies represent diverse sectors from furniture to recycled materials to food and beverage, showing British Columbia's manufacturing strength runs deep. Each expansion means more families with steady income, more local tax revenue, and more Canadian products on shelves.

"More Canadians than ever want to buy products that support homegrown B.C. businesses," Eby said. "By working with local producers, we can help them scale up and meet that demand."

These aren't just jobs; they're investments in communities like Merritt, Malakwa, Salmon Arm, and Penticton that will pay dividends for years to come.