Four Okanagan companies have received a boost from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund.
In an announcement at Farming Karma in Kelowna on Wednesday, April 8, B.C. Premier David Eby announced that $6.75 million is being shared between four companies, which will create 101 new jobs.
The majority of the money, $5.5 million, is going towards Mako Wood Furniture, a furniture producer in Surrey that is going to use the funds to build a new facility in Merritt. This expansion will create 29 new jobs.
Good Way Homes is receiving $625,000 is build a new manufacturing space in Malakwa and buy new equipment to increase production. In total, 27 new jobs will be created.
Dinoflex Group, which uses recycled rubber to make flooring and tiles, is receiving $410,000 to upgrade its Salmon Arm facility and increase its production to help reach more customers across North America, creating seven new jobs.
Heavy-duty industrial trailer manufacturer Kinetic Custom Trailers, in Penticton, is receiving $216,000 to expand operations into an additional facility, which will increase production and efficiency as well as create 38 new jobs.
“More Canadians than ever want to buy products that support home-grown B.C. businesses,” said Eby. “By working with local producers, we can help them scale up and meet that demand. Through our Look West plan, we are helping B.C. businesses grow, produce more of what makes them great, reach more customers, and create good, sustainable jobs for people throughout the province.”
Wednesday’s announcement was made at Kelowna company Farming Karma. It received $2 million on March 18, 2025, from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund. It helped the company double beverage production and hire 20 more people in the last year.
“The support from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund has enabled us to accelerate the growth of our farm-to-table manufacturing operation and meet the increasing demand for locally made products,” said Farming Karma CEO and co-founder Avi Gill. “As a family-owned business, we are proud to deliver high-quality, made-in-B.C. beverages to customers across the country, while significantly reducing waste by upcycling imperfect fruit. This investment has allowed us to expand our product offerings, more than double our production, access new markets and create meaningful local jobs.”
Logan Ashley, the CEO of Good Way Homes, called the funds a “game-changer,” adding they money will allow the company to triple its production.
The funds uplift small businesses, added Mako Wood Furniture CEO Harjit Jassal.
“This initiative is pivotal for enhancing community well-being and driving economic growth in Merritt,” said Jassal. “It represents a significant step toward creating a more resilient future, delivering tangible benefits and positive change for residents across British Columbia.”