Darren Brewer

Local businesses are being asked to share their feedback through the City’s Business Retention and Expansion (BRE+) Survey, open now until October 2, 2026 – a partnership between the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce and the City of Cranbrook.

The survey is designed to hear directly from businesses about what is working well, where support is needed, and what would help them grow in Cranbrook. The feedback will help guide the City’s economic development work and support planning for future business growth and investment. All Cranbrook businesses are encouraged to take part, from small shops and service providers to manufacturers, larger employers, and home-based businesses.

“We appreciate being invited to the table to work with the City on this project. Our members know firsthand what it takes to do business in Cranbrook, and their input is valuable in helping inform how the City supports existing businesses and attracts new investment,” says Stacey Brensrud, Executive Director of the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce. “This kind of collaboration ensures the business community has a voice in decisions that affect Cranbrook’s economic future.”

“Listening to our business community is essential to good planning. The BRE+ survey gives local employers a voice in shaping Cranbrook’s future, helping us better understand their needs, identify opportunities for growth, and make informed decisions that support a strong and resilient local economy,” says Darren Brewer, Economic Development Officer for the City of Cranbrook.

We encourage all Cranbrook businesses to take a few minutes to complete the survey and help us plan for the future. Together, we can strengthen our local economy and create new opportunities for businesses and residents alike.

Learn more about our work to support business growth at https://www.choosecranbrook.ca/business-retention-and-expansion-survey/.

The Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise (KORE Outdoors) is hosting the annual KORE Outdoors Summit September 17–18, 2026, at the Kimberley Alpine Resort Conference Centre in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia.

The Summit is Canada’s only conference dedicated to the outdoor gear industry. This year marks the event’s fifth anniversary, with an all-star lineup of speakers and thought leaders from across North America covering engineering, design, entrepreneurship, sustainability, marketing, manufacturing, and more.

The conference also features active outdoor social events and networking, including a barbecue dinner with live music and opportunities to join small groups for mountain biking, trail running, hiking, and rock climbing in the rugged Purcell Mountains.

“What began as a grassroots gathering of people who believed the Kootenays could play a bigger role in the outdoor gear economy has grown into a must-attend event for makers, designers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders from across Canada, the United States, and beyond,” said Matt Mosteller, Board Chair of KORE Outdoors. “The Summit sells out every year because people leave with real connections, new partnerships, fresh ideas, and opportunities they wouldn’t find anywhere else.”

New for 2026, the KORE Outdoors Summit will overlap with the Stillpoint Festival, a celebration of environment, art, film, and community presented by Wildsight Kimberley Cranbrook. Summit attendees are encouraged to stay for the weekend, with conference accommodation rates extended through Sunday checkout.

“On Saturday, festival programming will animate the mountain and surrounding venues with opportunities to gather, explore, and participate,” said Sparta Humphreys, Wildsight’s Fundraising Coordinator. “The festival culminates on Saturday evening with its flagship event: a special 50th Anniversary Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour Summit Screening atop North Star Mountain at Kimberley Alpine Resort.”

KORE Outdoors will join the celebration with the KORE Rehub Trailer to repair festival-goers’ outdoor gear and apparel, and to showcase the importance of repair and circularity in mountain sports and culture. KORE makers will also have the opportunity to showcase and sell their products. For more information about the KORE Outdoors Summit, visit koreoutdoors.org/summit-2026

The City of Cranbrook delivered an exceptional milestone in the first quarter of 2026, recording the strongest single‑quarter and single year in Building Permit activity in the City’s history, totaling over $243 million YTD.

The first quarter of 2026 reflects a shift toward higher‑value development activity across key sectors. The first quarter of 2026 exceeded the entire total of construction values for 2025 driven by institutional, multi‑family, and industrial projects that signal growing investor confidence and long‑term community investment in Cranbrook.

In 2026, 148 housing units were permitted by the end of February, signaling a strong start to the year and continued momentum in residential development. In comparison, 200 units were permitted in total throughout 2025. Combined, 348 dwelling units have been permitted over the past two years.

The increased value represents of a diversity of construction types across several sectors compared to 2025:

The F.W. Green Home represents the single largest contributor to the City’s first‑quarter results and underscores substantial long‑term public and community investment in Cranbrook’s social and health infrastructure.

Residential development continues to be anchored by significant multi‑family projects, led by Crowne Pacific Developments’ Wildstone community, which includes Phase 1 and Phase 2 apartment buildings totaling 252 units, as well as KulKon’s 102‑unit townhouse project. Additional apartment developments are underway across the community, including projects on Victoria Avenue, Hurry Avenue, Cranbrook Street, and in the downtown core, collectively supporting housing supply, density objectives, and mixed‑use redevelopment.

Industrial development activity is strong, with several new and expanded facilities approved in key employment areas. Notable permits include new industrial buildings for Anderson Holdings, Applied Compressions, and Finning. These projects reinforce the importance of Cranbrook’s industrial lands in supporting employment.

Looking ahead, single‑family dwelling units are expected to perform at typical run rates as the season advances and with the Revitalization Tax Exemption Program now established, the City anticipates an increase in commercial construction activity, with values expected to be comparable to—or exceed—recent historical performance.

Development permit activity in 2025 and early 2026 shows strong momentum across housing, commercial, and industrial sectors, with projects advancing in both established and emerging growth areas.

Downtown and Victoria corridor revitalization is further reflected through multiple mixed‑use, commercial, and façade improvement permits. These include residential‑commercial projects in the downtown area, business expansion and mixed‑use development along Cranbrook Street, and a growing number of façade improvement applications from local businesses.

Additional development permit activity includes environmental permits associated with Mission Hills Golf Course to support a dry campground, reflecting continued diversification of tourism and recreational infrastructure. The City of Cranbrook is participating in the Tourism Sprint Program in partnership with Destination BC and Destination Canada, focused on advancing the Prairies‑to‑Pacific tourism corridor. This initiative is aimed at foreign direct investment in hospitality and hotel development along the corridor. Cranbrook’s involvement positions the community to leverage its strategic location, serve emerging travel markets, and support new accommodation investment aligned with long‑term tourism growth.

Collectively, these development permits illustrate a healthy and diversified development pipeline, with balanced investment across housing, employment, and commercial reinvestment. The breadth and scale of projects moving forward show developer confidence and reinforce Cranbrook’s role as a regional service, employment, and residential centre.

The City of Cranbrook is pleased to announce ConvergX Cranbrook, a two‑day regional leadership event bringing together decision‑makers, industry partners, innovators, and community leaders to explore collaborative opportunities that support economic resilience, technological advancement, and long‑term regional growth.

The City continues to work on diversifying the local economy with regional partners from Calgary and Spokane, thanks to grant funding from the CanExport Community Investments program, through Global Affairs Canada and Pacifican. This initiative aims to explore how Cranbrook can strengthen supply chains and foster innovation in the aerospace industry and its supporting sectors. It will involve strategic planning through a Business Case study and a Regional Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Attraction Strategy

The program brings together a lineup of world‑class experts delivering presentations across key sectors shaping the future of the region. Supply chain strategist Peter Sholtz will outline practical pathways for strengthening industrial readiness and economic opportunity. Kim Van Vliet will provide insight into the evolving landscape of aerospace and defence, highlighting how cross‑sector collaboration accelerates innovation. Tim Troxel, a leading specialist in electro‑optics, will explore advanced imaging and surveillance technologies driving global competitiveness. Rounding out the program, Sheldon Decosse will share perspectives from the Global Airborne Observatory, showcasing cutting‑edge environmental mapping and flight operations used around the world. Together, these sessions offer attendees access to internationally recognized expertise and actionable knowledge.

March 10, 2026 – Leadership Reception & Registration-Cranbrook City Hall

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

March 11, 2026 – Morning Strategic Roundtable (By Invitation)- College of the Rockies – President’s Boardroom

9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

March 11, 2026 – Afternoon Leadership Sessions (Open) – Key City Theater

12:00–1:00 PM — Lunch

1:00–1:45 PM — Peter Sholtz & Darren Brewer: Morning Debrief / Supply Chain & Business Case

1:45–2:15 PM — Tim Troxel, Infiniti Optics

2:15–2:45 PM — Sheldon Decosse, Asner Global Airborne Observatory

3:00–4:00 PM — Kim Van Vliet: ConvergX Xpand

To attend the March 11th Afternoon Leadership session please register :

ConvergX® Cranbrook

Cranbrook has a lot to celebrate in 2025. This achievement is more than numbers—it’s a testament to preparation, alignment, and teamwork. Mayor, Council, City staff, and the community worked together toward a shared vision, proving that collaboration drives results. “Many of us have been here for both record years—2020 and now 2025. This shows the benefit of staying united and focused,” said Darren Brewer, Economic Development Officer at the City of Cranbrook.

The numbers tell the story. Building permit values surged from $37 million in 2024 to over $93 million in 2025—a 151% increase with one month still to go—shattering the previous record set in 2020. Permit revenues also jumped from $280,978 to $1,019,895, reflecting strong investor confidence and positioning Cranbrook as a leading destination for development in the region. This momentum isn’t slowing down. Projections indicate similar positive activity through 2026 and 2027, supported by major projects with announced funding already moving through development stages.

The economic impact is significant and immediate. Contractors and trades will remain active through the winter, ensuring steady employment and progress on transformative projects that will shape Cranbrook’s future. These developments strengthen the local economy, create jobs, and reinforce Cranbrook’s reputation as a city that plans ahead and delivers results. “This success is not by chance—it’s the result of preparation, collaboration, and a shared vision for Cranbrook’s future. Let’s keep building on this momentum together.

Cranbrook just got a little closer to wine country—and a whole lot more connected.

Pacific Coastal Airlines officially launched its new direct flight between Cranbrook (YXC) and Kelowna (YLW), marking a high-altitude win for regional connectivity, tourism, and economic development. The inaugural flight wasn’t just a takeoff—it was a celebration.

The flight departed YXC at 9:00 a.m. and landed in Kelowna at 8:55 a.m. (yes, time zones are wild), right on schedule. But this isn’t just about getting from A to B—it’s about unlocking new opportunities for business, talent, and adventure.

And for our friends in the Okanagan? You now have a direct line to the Basecamp of the Kootenays. Cranbrook is where ideas launch, businesses grow, and adventure begins. It’s the place to build something bold—and yes, we’re also the sunniest city in BC. Sorry Kelowna, but we’ve got the stats and the sunglasses to prove it.

So pack your carry-on, grab your business cards, and get ready to fly.

Cranbrook, BC – October 17, 2025 — The City of Cranbrook is celebrating a major victory in the world of economic development, having just scored a rare double win that’s turning heads across the country.

Choose Cranbrook has been awarded the prestigious 2025 EDAC Canadian Marketing Award for Best Website, a national honour recognizing excellence in municipal marketing. But the celebration doesn’t stop there—earlier this year Choose Cranbrook also clinched the 2025 BCEDA Award for Marketing Innovation, making it one of the few communities to sweep both provincial and national awards in the same year.

“It’s like winning the NHL’s Presidents’ Trophy and the Stanley Cup in the same season,” said Darren Brewer, Economic Development Officer for the City of Cranbrook. “We’re incredibly proud of this achievement and what it represents for our community’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation, investment, and opportunity.”

The award-winning website—www.choosecranbrook.ca—is a bold, interactive platform designed to showcase Cranbrook’s strengths in natural resources, emerging technologies, and lifestyle advantages. With clean design, intuitive navigation, and compelling storytelling, it’s become a powerful tool for attracting talent, investment, and attention to the region.

The Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) praised the site for its “engaging and professional presentation,” while the British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) highlighted its “innovative approach to regional marketing and stakeholder engagement.”

“This recognition is a testament to the collaborative spirit of Cranbrook,” added Brewer. “From local businesses to regional partners, everyone played a role in helping us tell our story in a way that resonates across Canada.”

To explore the award-winning platform, visit www.choosecranbrook.ca or check out Cranbrook – Website: Marketing Awards 2025 on Vimeo

The Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC) is proud to announce its busiest June on record, with just under 15,000 passengers travelling through the airport. There were 750 additional passengers last month than in June of last year, marking a milestone in regional travel and continued community growth.

“Increased passenger volumes reflect a strong return to travel, growing confidence in regional tourism, and the value of connecting Cranbrook and the Kootenays to the world via Western Canada’s hub airports,” says Tristen Chernove, CEO of Elevate Airports Inc. “This record-setting June tells a powerful story about how people are rediscovering the beauty and accessibility of flying from YXC.”

Adding to the excitement, Delightfull, YXC’s new on-site restaurant, has officially opened its doors—offering great breakfast and lunch selections and premium coffee to travelers and airport staff alike. The long-anticipated arrival of Delightfull has been warmly received as a vibrant and welcome addition to the terminal experience.

“The Canadian Rockies International Airport continues to demonstrate strong and consistent performance, now exceeding our pre-COVID passenger numbers. We’re incredibly fortunate to have such an important gateway right here in our city—connecting Cranbrook to the world with reliability and convenience.” added Darren Brewer, Economic Development Officer for the City of Cranbrook “These milestones reflect the hard work of our team and the growing trust of travelers near and far. We look forward to continued growth and new opportunities for our region.

“We’re focused on more than just numbers,” adds Chernove. “We’re building a gateway that reflects the values of our region—hospitality, safety, and community care.”

Cranbrook, BC – It was a weekend of celebration for Cranbrook at the 2025 BC Economic Development Association (BCEDA) Awards in Penticton B.C taking home not just one but two prestigious honors for its innovative work in economic development.

Leading the charge was the City’s investment attraction platform, Choose Cranbrook, which proudly claimed the title of “Best Website Ever”—well, that’s how we’re describing it around the office. Officially, it won the 2025 BCEDA Marketing Innovation Award for Best Website. But let’s be honest: when a platform works this hard, tells stories this well, and looks this good, we’re not afraid to throw in a little flair.

Choose Cranbrook isn’t just a website. It’s a fully integrated investment attraction tool that combines a rich data portal, a dynamic YouTube channel, and a suite of digital storytelling tools designed to make one thing clear: Cranbrook is open for business, and it’s ready for you.

This is where storytelling meets strategy. We’ve moved beyond static brochures and dusty PDFs. We’re not cavemen painting on cave walls—we’re using stunning visuals, sweeping drone footage, and powerful local voices to craft a message that resonates with investors, entrepreneurs, and future residents alike

Whether you’re looking to build your business, relocate your family, or just understand what’s driving growth in the Kootenays, Choose Cranbrook makes it big, easy, and obvious. The platform keeps things visually appealing, stat-packed, and tailored for the people who matter most—those ready to help Cranbrook grow.

And the good news didn’t stop there. Kootenay Employment Services also walked away with top honours, receiving the Community Resiliency Award for their Rural Entrepreneur Development (RED) Program. This initiative is a powerful example of how rural communities can create opportunity from the ground up. Gregg Berg accepted the award on behalf of the team, offering a heartfelt shoutout to Kerstin Renner for her role in shaping and delivering the program.

A special thank you goes out to Sasha Bogdanovic from Cityviz, who expertly manages our ever-evolving data portal and ensures the numbers behind the stories stay meaningful and accessible. We also want to recognize Chris Botterill and his incredible team at Genex Marketing, who manage the Choose Cranbrook website with care, creativity, and technical excellence.

Two major wins, one remarkable community.

The Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC) is flying higher than ever! Starting this May, we’re cranking up the air service with more flights, more seats, and way more reasons to pack your bags. Compared to last year, WestJet and Air Canada are rolling out three extra Q400 flights per week each—that’s a whopping 48,000 more seats annually jetting in and out of the East Kootenay region.

That’s right—24,000 extra seats per airline in 2025. Whether you’re chasing powder, sealing deals, or visiting family, YXC is officially your upgraded launchpad to wherever-you-need-to-be.

“We’re thrilled to see this level of investment and commitment from both WestJet and Air Canada,” says Tristen Chernove, Airport Manager at YXC. “These added flights not only increase convenience and flexibility for our passengers, but they also support the region’s economic development, tourism, and accessibility.”

So what are you waiting for? With more flights and better connections, the sky is quite literally the limit. Book early, travel easy, and let YXC take you where you want to go—faster, smoother, and with a window seat.