Best IT Services for Businesses in Kelowna & Penticton
IT Services - Kelowna
Business Statistics for the Central Okanagan
In 2025, Kelowna continues to be recognized as one of Canada’s fastest-growing communities. While real estate and short-term rental (STR) changes caused some fluctuations in 2024, the broader business community has shown strong resilience, particularly in the tech and service sectors, including business IT services and Kelowna IT support.
The following statistics represent the state of business growth in Kelowna for late 2024 and early 2025:
1. Business Expansion & Licensing
Active Business Count: The total number of active businesses in the Central Okanagan grew from 34,365 in 2023 to 35,913 in 2024, a 4.5% increase.
Licensing Trends: Despite 2024 seeing a high volume of business license cancellations (primarily due to new provincial Short-Term Rental legislation), new business growth in other sectors balanced the numbers, keeping total licenses steady at approximately 12,133.
Leading Sectors: The top four business types currently driving growth are:
Professional & Business Services
Contractors/Construction
Health and Medical Services
Retail and Sales
2. Technology & Startup Ecosystem
Kelowna has solidified its position as the fastest-growing tech hub in British Columbia.
Startup Growth: In 2025, the local startup ecosystem recorded an annual growth rate of +24.1%.
Tech Workforce: The tech workforce grew by 7% in 2025.
Economic Impact: The technology sector now supports over 19,700 jobs in the Central Okanagan, contributing roughly $3.01 billion in regional economic impact. Managed IT services have played a crucial role in this growth.
Global Standing: Kelowna’s startup ecosystem is currently ranked 17th in Canada and has climbed into the top 500 globally.
3. Labour Market & Employment
Job Gains: Employment in the region grew by over 3,400 jobs between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025.
Hiring Demand: Job postings increased from 5,830 in Q1 2024 to 6,033 in Q1 2025.
Workforce demographics: The workforce grew by 26% over the last decade, significantly outpacing the provincial average of 13%.
4. Investment & Infrastructure
Airport Growth (YLW): A major economic driver, Kelowna International Airport saw a 10.4% increase in passenger traffic in early 2025, setting records with over 2.1 million annual passengers.
Building Permits: While housing starts saw a seasonal dip, the total value of building permits increased to $68.5 million in Q1 2025, signaling continued developer confidence.
City Investment: The 2025 City Budget includes $839.3 million in total spending, with significant portions dedicated to 'Building a Stronger Kelowna' (recreation and infrastructure) to support the growing population.
OIT IT Services in the Central Okanagan
The rapid expansion of businesses and services within Kelowna and the Central Okanagan has created a pressing demand for expert IT support. OIT IT Services provides an unparalleled skill set in planning, managing, and maintaining resilient infrastructure. Partner with us to gain the technical edge your business needs to succeed.
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