The Central Okanagan's entire economic development model has been thrown into a tizzy

Loyal Wooldridge is mulling over the best case and worst case scenarios.

"The best case is we keep the regional service (Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission) and continue to assess opportunities and forward them to the appropriate municipality," said Wooldridge, who is both the chair of the Central Okanagan Regional District and a City of Kelowna councillor.

"The worst case is division is created and we lose the economic capacity we've grown as a region."

This line of thinking has emerged because the City of Kelowna's task force on economic prosperity recommended that Kelowna opt out of the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission and create its own in-house office for economic development.

Based on that, Kelowna city council has asked staff to look at options to exit the Central Okanagan Development Commission.

Technically, one of the options could be to not break away from the commission, but it looks like some sort of split might be in the works.

The city hasn't given any indication on when a final decision might be made.

Wooldridge is in a unique position.

As chair of the Central Okanagan Regional District -- the civic government that oversees the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission -- he wants to keep the commission intact.

As a City of Kelowna councillor he feels the city is being rash.

"My view is the city has a predetermined outcome that was made before a business case was created," said Wooldridge.

"Basically, exiting was recommended before due diligence was done."

There are big implications if Kelowna, the biggest partner in the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, pulls out and starts its own economic development office.

For starters, Kelowna contributes $870,000 towards the commission's $1.2 million annual budget.

And then, what would the other smaller partners do? -- West Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland, Westbank First Nation and Electoral Areas East and West.

"The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission is the gold standard of regional economic development functions," stated Wooldridge.

"It's award-winning. The economy doesn't have borders. So, if someone is interested in investing or moving a business to British Columbia and they decide on the Central Okanagan, the commission can help them determine what municipality might be best suited to them."

Earlier this year, the commission launched an Okanagan-wide manufacturing database to help businesses stay busy and profitable in the wake of supply-chain disruption and tariffs.

And, the regional district's news release included a photo of the regional board meeting with Kelowna MP and secretary of state for defence procurement Stephen Fuhr to illustrate how opportunities to do work for the federal government extends beyond any single municipality.

The upheaval the city caused has the commission thinking differently, regardless of whether Kelowna leaves or stays.

For instance, it isn't insisting the status quo is the only way forward.

"There is always room to strengthen governance, improve accountability and ensure the (regional) model continues delivering value," said Wooldridge.

There's also the option that the City of Kelowna set up its own in-house economic development office to deal with specific tasks and inquiries while remaining a member of the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission.

West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and Lake Country all have in-house economic development staff, yet continue to participate in the regional opportunities of the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission.

"West Kelowna invests in both local and regional economic development because they serve different purposes and create value in different ways," said West Kelowna Mayor Gord Milsom.

"We strongly believe that working together as a region creates a stronger economy for everyone. Local and regional economic development, when working together, is a very effective approach to stimulating long-term economic growth and prosperity for businesses, workers and communities across the Central Okanagan."