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/.

What if your next great adventure started in the middle of everything?

Our new investment attraction video, In the Middle, showcases why Cranbrook is the Basecamp of the Kootenays. As BC’s Sunniest City and the largest urban centre in the region, Cranbrook offers unmatched access to the Canadian Rockies and hundreds of experiences within a short drive.

From world-class golf, mountain biking, hiking, skiing, fishing, and lakes to vibrant events, cultural attractions, and mountain communities, Cranbrook is where visitors stay, explore, and connect to the best of the Kootenays.

The journey begins at the Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC), providing direct connections to Vancouver, Calgary, and Kelowna. Within minutes of landing, visitors can be on a trail, tee box, ski hill, lake, or exploring one of the many communities that make this region unique. YXC continues to strengthen Cranbrook’s role as the transportation gateway to the Kootenays.

Did you know? Cranbrook welcomed more than 580,000 unique visitors in 2025, a 107% increase since 2020. June was the community’s busiest tourism month, and passenger traffic at YXC has now exceeded pre-pandemic levels. These trends reflect growing visitation to the region and Cranbrook’s position as a key gateway for travellers exploring the Canadian Rockies. Visit our Data Portal for more information.

For investors, tourism operators, airlines, and business leaders, In the Middle tells a broader story about opportunity. It highlights Cranbrook’s strategic location, growing visitor economy, strong transportation connections, and role as the commercial and service hub of the Kootenays. Through Visit Cranbrook, we’re sharing that story with the world and inviting more people to discover why Cranbrook truly sits in the middle of adventure.

Watch In the Middle and see why BC’s Sunniest City is the Basecamp of the Kootenays. Welcome to Cranbrook.

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 Cranbrook Strongman Classic has grown from a local grassroots idea into one of the premier events of the Spirit of the Rockies Festival, which is held annually in June. Now celebrating its 22nd year, this made-in-Cranbrook showcase brings together athletes, families, visitors, sponsors, and volunteers for a full day of strength, community pride, and festival energy.

Built in Cranbrook, Built by Community

Started in 2004, the Cranbrook Strongman Classic has steadily evolved into a major production and a signature part of Cranbrook’s annual community calendar. What began as a local event has become a destination competition that attracts talent from across Canada and the United States, while remaining true to its roots as a welcoming, family-friendly celebration.

This is exactly the kind of story that reflects the Choose Cranbrook message: local people creating something authentic, building it year after year, and turning community energy into an event that brings visitors, athletes, and attention to the city. The Strongman Classic is not imported, manufactured, or generic. It is made in Cranbrook.

A Showcase for Athletes, Families, and Visitors

The event welcomes competitors from novice level and up, giving emerging athletes the chance to test themselves alongside seasoned competitors. For spectators, it offers a powerful and exciting show: athletes lifting, pulling, carrying, and competing in events that demonstrate strength, skill, discipline, and determination.

Just as importantly, the Cranbrook Strongman Classic is a family-friendly event that brings people together. It gives local families something memorable to enjoy, gives visitors another reason to come to Cranbrook, and adds energy to the Spirit of the Rockies Festival experience.

Part of the Spirit of the Rockies

As one of the premier events during the Spirit of the Rockies Festival, the Strongman Classic helps showcase Cranbrook at its best. The festival brings residents, visitors, businesses, clubs, and volunteers together through a largely free, city-wide celebration, and the Strongman Classic adds a unique sports and entertainment draw that stands out year after year.

Events like this support community pride and visitor attraction at the same time. They create reasons to gather, reasons to stay longer, and reasons to see Cranbrook as a place with energy, character, and momentum.

Making It Bigger and Better Every Year

The continued growth of the Cranbrook Strongman Classic is the result of dedication, collaboration, and local pride. Each year, the event becomes bigger, better, and more recognized because people step forward to support it.

Thank you to the sponsors, volunteers, organizers, and athletes who make this showcase possible. Their commitment has helped turn a grassroots Cranbrook event into an annual tradition that welcomes competitors and visitors, celebrates strength and community, and proudly carries the spirit of Cranbrook forward.

For nearly half a century, one of Cranbrook’s best-loved community traditions has brought kids, families, firefighters, and volunteers together for a day at Idlewild Park. This year marked the 49th Annual Cranbrook Firemen’s Father’s Day Fishing Clinic, with 122 children taking part in a hands-on introduction to fishing, conservation, and outdoor recreation.

The event, which is open to kids under 15, is about much more than casting a line. It is a chance for families to spend time together, for children to learn a new skill, and for the community to gather in one of the most meaningful green spaces in the Kootenays. For many dads, and more than a few moms, it is also a simple but special way to enjoy a day outside with their kids.

A Park Built by Community Spirit

Idlewild’s story is deeply tied to Cranbrook’s own history. The lake was once part of the City’s water supply system, serving as a reservoir before the development of the Phillips Reservoir. In the 1970s, as the City prepared to decommission Idlewild from that role, local firefighters saw something more than an old piece of infrastructure. They saw the potential for a community park.

That decision says a great deal about Cranbrook. Idlewild Park exists today because people cared enough to imagine something better, speak up for it, and then keep showing up year after year to make it special. What could have simply faded into the background instead became one of the community’s most treasured public spaces: a place for walking, fishing, skating, picnics, celebrations, and quiet moments close to home.

The local firefighters have continued to be at the heart of that story. Over the years, they have helped build and improve the park, including the gazebo and docks, while also organizing the fishing clinic as a way to give back. Their work is a reminder that community spirit is not just something we talk about in Cranbrook. It is something people build, maintain, volunteer for, and pass on to the next generation.

Father’s Day at the Lake

Held on Father’s Day weekend, the clinic has also become a meaningful tradition for families. There is something fitting about seeing dads, grandfathers, uncles, and family friends helping kids bait hooks, untangle lines, celebrate small catches, and learn patience along the water’s edge. It is the kind of day that does not need to be complicated to be memorable.

And while Father’s Day is often front and centre, the event is for everyone. Plenty of moms, grandparents, volunteers, and community members help make the day work. That is part of what makes it so special. It reflects the best of Cranbrook: people stepping in, pitching in, feeding families, teaching kids, sharing knowledge, and creating a welcoming place where everyone can feel part of the community.

Food, Sponsors, and a Shared Commitment

This year’s event was supported by generous local and regional partners, including Columbia Basin Trust, Denham Ford, the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, Mr Mikes Steakhouse, and St Mary’s Angler Fly Shop. Their support helped make the day welcoming, accessible, and fun for the families who attended.

Mr Mikes Steakhouse donated 200 burgers and 48 hotdogs, helping turn the clinic into a full community gathering. Those details matter. A burger after fishing, a shared meal at the park, and volunteers working together behind the scenes all add to the feeling that this is not just an event on the calendar. It is one of those days when Cranbrook shows how it supports its own.

Looking Ahead to 50 Years

Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the kids fishing clinic, a milestone that speaks to the strength of the tradition and the people behind it. Few community events last that long without a deep sense of purpose. In Cranbrook, this clinic has endured because it brings together all the right things: kids learning outdoors, families spending time together, local businesses giving back, volunteers sharing their time, and firefighters continuing a legacy of service that helped shape Idlewild Park itself.

For 49 years, the clinic has helped build connections between children and nature, between families and neighbours, and between the community’s past and its future. As Cranbrook looks ahead to the 50th annual event, there is good reason to celebrate not only a day of fishing, but the community spirit that made it possible.

Did you know Cranbrook has a data portal?

For decades, communities relied on static reports, lagging indicators, delayed releases, and snapshots that were often outdated the moment they were published. It worked, but only to a point. Decisions were being made with incomplete timelines and limited transparency.

That’s no longer the case.

The Choose Cranbrook Data Portal treats data as infrastructure: something that is continuously updated, accessible, and built to support real decisions in real time. Instead of waiting months for reporting cycles, key indicators are now available as they change.

Take building permits. Rather than relying on quarterly or annual summaries, Cranbrook tracks activity in real time. This reduces lag, improves transparency, and allows both the public and decision-makers to see development activity as it happens, not after the fact. It changes the conversation from “what happened” to “what’s happening.”

The same approach extends across the platform.

The portal brings together retail spending analysis, real estate trends, workforce data, and economic dependency metrics into a single, integrated system. It also includes story maps and curated datasets from both free and paid sources, creating a comprehensive view of the local economy. Instead of fragmented data points spread across reports and agencies, everything is organized, visualized, and easy to interpret.

And that matters.

Because when the data is clear, the conversation changes. Discussions move away from assumptions and toward evidence. Investment conversations become more grounded. Policy decisions become more precise. The narrative shifts from general perception to measurable reality, focused specifically on Cranbrook.

This approach has not gone unnoticed. The data portal has been recognized as a leading example in the economic development space and is viewed as a thought leader by organizations such as BCEDA and EDAC. It reflects a broader shift in how communities compete, not just on assets, but on clarity, transparency, and the ability to demonstrate opportunity with confidence.

In many ways, this is about how we communicate.

Early humans told stories with drawings on cave walls: visual, immediate, and grounded in what they could observe. Thousands of years later, the goal is the same, but the tools have changed. In 2026, we are still telling stories, but now we do it with data, maps, and real-time insight.

The Choose Cranbrook Data Portal is that evolution.

It doesn’t just report information. It explains it, connects it, and makes it usable.

If you haven’t explored it yet, take a look. The maps, charts, and visualizations are built to be intuitive and accessible, and they tell a story about Cranbrook that static reports simply can’t.

The data is there. The question is what you see when you explore it.

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.

City of Cranbrook Hosts ConvergX, Bringing Pacific Northwest Thought Leaders Together on Aerospace, Defence, and Supply Chains

Cranbrook, BC – The City of Cranbrook recently hosted ConvergX, a full day event that brought together more than 30 thought leaders from across the Pacific Northwest, including representatives from Alberta, the Kootenays, and Washington State. Participants from academia, government, and industry gathered to explore cross sector industrial collaboration with a focus on aerospace, defence, and critical supply chains.

ConvergX builds on a year of international outreach and collaboration supported by a Global Affairs Canada CanExport grant. Through this work, Cranbrook has engaged directly with senior federal partners, including meetings with the Deputy Minister of National Defence and Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy Team. The initiative has also elevated Cranbrook’s profile nationally and internationally, including participation alongside senior Canadian Armed Forces leadership and invitations to engage in broader supply chain discussions through the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER).

The Kootenays also play a critical role in Canada’s resource and supply chain ecosystem. The region produces globally significant minerals and natural resources that support advanced manufacturing, energy systems, and emerging technologies, while its geography positions it on key arterial transportation and trade corridors running north-south and east-west. With direct links across all four cardinal directions, to the Prairies, the U.S. Pacific Northwest, the BC coast, and the Interior, the Kootenays sit at a strategic crossroads of continental supply chains, reinforcing the region’s importance to national resilience, security, and industrial competitiveness.

A highlight of the event was a keynote presentation by Sheldon DeCossé, President of DeCossé Aerospace, who spoke about the Global Airborne Observatory (GAO). Formerly known as the Carnegie Airborne Observatory, the GAO was developed by Greg Asner and his team and represents one of the most advanced airborne Earth mapping platforms in the civil sector. Now in its third generation, the GAO is a fully integrated airborne laboratory housed within a highly modified Dornier 228 202 aircraft, enabling advanced environmental, climate, and resource intelligence applications worldwide.

Attendees also heard from Tim Troxel of Infiniti Optics, who shared insights into next generation electro optical and video surveillance technologies currently being deployed in collaboration with governments and partners across multiple countries.

Kim Van Vliet spoke about her role as Canada’s delegate on NATO’s industrial advisory group and formally launched ConvergX Xpand during the event. The ConvergX® Xpand™ Commercialization Zone is a national program designed to accelerate cross industry innovation and technology adoption by connecting sectors including defence, aerospace, energy, mining, manufacturing, security, construction, agriculture, space, technology, and healthcare. The program is available to businesses across Canada and is intended to reduce barriers between innovators, end users, and markets.

Mark Norton of the I 90 Aerospace Corridor, representing Washington, Idaho, and Montana, spoke about emerging technology hubs south of the border and emphasized the strong momentum, despite current geopolitical tensions, for the Pacific Northwest aerospace sector to collaborate and compete collectively on the global stage.

Hosting ConvergX reflects Cranbrook’s growing role as a convenor and connector for advanced industries and cross border collaboration. The City is actively working toward the development of a “Team Kootenay” approach to investment attraction, promoting the region as a unified, competitive destination for industry, innovation, and talent.

The City of Cranbrook thanks all speakers, partners, and participants who contributed to the success of ConvergX and looks forward to building on the momentum generated through the event.

The Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC) remains one of Cranbrook’s most important economic drivers, offering reliable service, strong connectivity, and essential support for the region’s workforce, visitors, and business community.

As the airport continues to grow, it underscores Cranbrook’s role as a connected and accessible hub for the Kootenays.

A Record-Setting 2025

In 2025, YXC recorded its strongest year since the pandemic with more than 176,000 passenger movements, reflecting steady demand for both leisure and business travel. While the airport’s pre-pandemic peak reached approximately 180,000 passenger movements, the 2025 results demonstrate that passenger traffic has nearly returned to those levels, highlighting the airport’s continued importance to regional connectivity and economic activity.

Within that total, June was a particularly strong month, with just under 15,000 passenger movements, the highest June the airport has recorded.

Expanding Connections Across Western Canada
YXC is served by three major carriers offering direct flights to key destinations:

• WestJet – Calgary and Vancouver
• Air Canada – Calgary and Vancouver
• Pacific Coastal Airlines – Kelowna

These routes provide convenient access to major travel hubs, supporting resident travel, visitor experiences, and business mobility throughout the region while enabling easy connections to national and international destinations.

To support this growth, YXC is making upgrades to improve the passenger experience. Planned terminal improvements include an expanded passenger hold room and new washroom facilities, designed to make travel more comfortable, accessible, and efficient as traffic volume increases.

The airport is also expanding and repaving its parking areas to improve access and increase capacity for passengers and visitors. These upgrades will help ensure the airport remains reliable, and convenient for the community it serves. All of these great things are happening at the airport – an entirely self-sustaining operation funding its own capital and not drawing a penny from municipal tax revenue.

“It is a privilege to be part of the continued success of YXC. Aviation is a turbulent industry to work in, never more so that over these past few years and I’m thrilled that the continued loyalty and utilization of this key asset has enabled us to smooth out the bumps and continue realizing our potential for the region,” says Tristen Chernove, Airport Manager for the Canadian Rockies International Airport.

Sustainability also remains an important focus. Electric vehicle charging stations installed at the airport continue to be well used and well received, providing added convenience for travelers while supporting low emission transportation across the Kootenays.

On the business side, YXC is seeing continued private sector investment. The sale of the former Bid Air hangar to Decosse Customs supports increased aviation activity and reinforces the airport’s role as a regional hub for logistics and specialized services. Streamline Airways is also completed construction of a new hangar, adding space for aircraft storage, maintenance, and operations.

Together, these developments highlight YXC’s ongoing role as a key transportation link and economic driver for the region, supporting travelers today while preparing for future growth.

A Reliable Gateway for a Growing Community
The airport’s strong performance reflects more than just travel activity. YXC plays a crucial role in supporting mobility for workers, enabling efficient business travel, strengthening tourism, and connecting Cranbrook to broader provincial and national networks. Continued growth in passenger movements enhances the airport’s ability to support the region’s evolving needs.

As YXC continues its momentum in 2026, it remains a vital asset for a growing and increasingly connected Cranbrook, supporting opportunity, accessibility, and regional resilience for years to come.

For 40 years, the Kootenay Children’s Festival has been a joyful gathering place for families, and in 2026 it reaches an incredible milestone. This long-standing Cranbrook tradition, recognized as the longest running free children’s festival in Canada, returns on May 9th with a full day of celebration, creativity, and community pride.

The festival has always been built around one simple idea: giving children a place to explore, imagine, and enjoy. Every year, families come together for a vibrant mix of activities and entertainment that highlight the spirit of play.

As the Festival turns 40, organizers are preparing an unforgettable experience that honours its history while introducing exciting new features for today’s young adventurers.

Festival Highlights:

• Main Stage Entertainment: Performers of all kinds bring music, movement, humour, and storytelling to life in ways that keep kids fully engaged.
• Creative and Discovery Zones: Hands-on stations invite children to paint, build, experiment, and learn through guided activities that encourage self-expression and curiosity.
• Family Fun Areas: Expect lively games, activity stations, inflatables, and interactive spaces designed to keep kids moving, laughing, and connecting.
• Local Eats: A selection of food vendors will be on site, offering quick bites and treats for families spending the day at the festival.

Beyond the excitement, the Kootenay Children’s Festival remains a meaningful gathering for the community. Generations have grown up attending this event, and many parents now bring their own children to share in a tradition that continues to inspire imagination year after year. The 40th anniversary is a moment to celebrate those shared memories while looking forward to the years ahead.

With special programming planned for this milestone edition, May 9th is set to be a standout day for local families. Whether you are a longtime Festival fan or discovering it for the first time, this year’s event promises something memorable for everyone.

Save the date, invite your friends, and join Cranbrook in celebrating 40 years of childhood joy at the Kootenay Children’s Festival. See you on May 9th!