The City of Vernon wants to hear what local businesses have to say.
City representatives will visit about 150 businesses Oct. 28 for the third annual Business Walks program.
“We are hoping to assemble more than 20 volunteers, including representatives from the province to visit commercial businesses throughout Vernon,” said Kevin Poole, economic development manager.
“Our volunteers will be talking with business owners and managers from 10 a.m. until noon with a goal of gaining a better understanding of the economic climate in the community.”
The city is partnering with Community Futures, the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Vernon Association.
“The goal of business walks is to get a pulse on the immediate issues and challenges that companies may be facing,” said Poole.
“Prominent economists such as David Birch and David Kraybill have said that up to 80 per cent of job growth in a community is created from within. This is contrary to the belief that new job growth is achieved through business attraction efforts. Our goal is to create an environment in Vernon where business can continue to grow and thrive.”