BC Invests $6.75M Creating 101 Jobs Across Okanagan

More than 100 new jobs are coming to British Columbia's Okanagan region thanks to a $6.75 million investment in local manufacturing companies.

Premier David Eby announced the funding on April 8 at Kelowna's Farming Karma, celebrating four companies that will expand their operations and hire across the region. The money comes from BC's Manufacturing Jobs Fund, designed to help local producers scale up and meet growing demand for homegrown products.

Mako Wood Furniture is getting the largest share at $5.5 million to build a new facility in Merritt, creating 29 jobs. Good Way Homes received $625,000 to expand its manufacturing space in Malakwa and purchase new equipment, adding 27 positions.

Dinoflex Group, which transforms recycled rubber into flooring and tiles, secured $410,000 to upgrade its Salmon Arm facility and reach more customers across North America. The expansion will create seven new jobs.

Penticton's Kinetic Custom Trailers, a heavy-duty industrial trailer manufacturer, got $216,000 to open an additional facility. The expansion will boost production efficiency while creating 38 new jobs.

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

The Ripple Effect

The announcement happened at Farming Karma because the company shows what this funding can accomplish. After receiving $2 million in March 2025, the farm-to-table beverage maker doubled its production and hired 20 people in just one year.

CEO Avi Gill said the support allowed his family-owned business to expand product offerings while reducing waste by upcycling imperfect fruit. "We are proud to deliver high-quality, made-in-BC beverages to customers across the country while creating meaningful local jobs," he said.

Good Way Homes CEO Logan Ashley called the investment a "game-changer" that will triple the company's production capacity. For smaller businesses especially, this funding removes barriers that typically slow growth.

Mako Wood Furniture CEO Harjit Jassal sees the broader picture. "This initiative is pivotal for enhancing community well-being and driving economic growth in Merritt," he said. "It represents a significant step toward creating a more resilient future for residents across British Columbia."

These 101 new jobs mean more than paychecks for families across the Okanagan.