Starting, expanding, or relocating a business in Armstrong

Starting, expanding, or relocating a business

Armstrong and Spallumcheen are a working agricultural community in the North Okanagan. The downtown is walkable. Visitor traffic comes year-round through major events. Small businesses here benefit from low overhead, regional connections, and a chamber that knows every member by name.

The chamber works with businesses considering a move, expansion, or new start-up in Armstrong or Spallumcheen. The chamber office and visitor centre on Wood Avenue is a good first stop for orientation.

Why Armstrong

• Walkable heritage downtown with steady local foot traffic
• Year-round festival visitor economy (IPE, Big Cheese, MetalFest, Harvest Pumpkin Festival, Downtown Light Up)
• Lower commercial rent than Vernon and Kelowna
• Direct access to Highway 97A
• Strong agricultural and small-manufacturing base
• One hour from Kelowna International Airport.

Local resources

These three resources cover most of what new and growing businesses need beyond the chamber.

• Community Futures North Okanagan for local start-up advice, loans, and self-employment programs
• Small Business BC for province-wide business advice, templates, and one-on-one advising
• Women’s Enterprise Centre for women entrepreneurs, with skills development, loans, and mentoring.

Provincial and federal registration

Registering a business involves provincial and federal steps.

• BC Business Registry for incorporation, GST, and PST
• Canada Revenue Agency for payroll, taxes, and CPP
• WorkSafeBC for workplace insurance and safety.

Permits and licensing

Building permits, business licences, and zoning come from either the City of Armstrong, the Township of Spallumcheen, or the Regional District of North Okanagan depending on the address.

• City of Armstrong and the chamber’s city page
• Township of Spallumcheen and the chamber’s township page
• Regional District of North Okanagan.

Talk to the chamber first

The chamber can connect new and relocating businesses with the right local contacts, share recent commercial rental availability, and explain how the chamber directory works for visibility once a business opens. Phone (250) 546-8155 or email manager@aschamber.com.

To join once you are set up, see Become a member.