This 2025 Annual Report reflects a year of focused execution—through direct client service, targeted programming, and the development of tools, research, and intelligence that support businesses, investors, and our community partners.
A priority in 2025 was demonstrating results in a clear, measurable way. Economic development can be difficult to quantify, but we have worked to measure impact – particularly for programs where we can track outcomes through our direct work with businesses. Over the past year, we measured the economic impact of Venture Kamloops program graduates, and the results underscore the value of targeted, business-focused supports.
Combined, the total measured economic impact of program graduates of the VK Accelerate and VK Pivot+ programs was just shy of $9,000,000 in 2025, with projected impact rising to almost $11,000,000 in 2026. While no single metric captures the full scope of economic development, these figures provide a clear snapshot of how focused programming built around real business needs translates into tangible outcomes for our city.
Beyond programming, our team continued to prioritize direct, responsive service to the business community. In 2025, Venture Kamloops welcomed 317 new clients. These include entrepreneurs seeking guidance, employers exploring expansion, and investors looking for insights and connections. Each interaction represents an opportunity to help remove barriers, connect people to the right resources, and move projects forward with practical next steps.
We also expanded tools and resources that support decision-making and long-term planning. To strengthen support for business succession planning, we launched a new Business Valuator tool on venturekamloops.com. Our comprehensive 2025 Demographic, Housing, and Economic Review & Outlook report has also been completed – an important resource for our investment recruitment efforts and for businesses evaluating Kamloops as a location to invest and grow.
In 2025, we contributed research and analysis to support community priorities where economic development intersects with workforce and talent attraction—particularly in health care. Venture Kamloops collaborated with the Social and Community Development Department at the City of Kamloops to complete a Physician Recruitment addendum to complement the City’s report to Council on the feasibility of a municipally-owned medical clinic. The addendum laid out the landscape of physician recruitment locally, provincially, federally, and internationally. Alongside this, we introduced a Business Support Guide for Doctors in partnership with the Thompson Region Division of Family Practice to help physicians navigate the business realities of establishing a practice.
Finally, we made a significant investment in how we communicate Kamloops’ story and connect people to our services. In early April, Venture Kamloops launched a brand-new website, designed to make it easier than ever to explore Kamloops’ opportunities, connect with our team, and access business resources. The new platform strengthens our client experience, improves access to tools and information, and supports our broader investment attraction and community marketing efforts.
I’m grateful to our staff for their professionalism and energy, and to our partners—especially the City of Kamloops and Council—for their collaboration. I also appreciate the Board’s leadership, including the establishment of the Communications and Awareness Sub-Committee to strengthen clarity and alignment around our work.
In a time of global uncertainty—economic volatility, shifting trade dynamics, and rapid change across many sectors—our work locally matters even more. Kamloops is not immune to these pressures, but we are well positioned because of our fundamentals. By supporting businesses through change, and continuing to strengthen the tools, data, and relationships that underpin investment and growth, we will work toward continued success.
Jim Anderson
Executive Director
Venture Kamloops