Kamloops council looks to spur development around YKA through tax exemption

Jun 24, 2026 | 4:16 PM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops is implementing a revitalization tax exemption for properties around the Kamloops Airport.

City council passed the initiative in a 7-0 vote Tuesday (June 23) afternoon as Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson was absent while Councillor Mike O’Reilly declared a conflict. The hope is that by removing taxation on the increased value of developments will spur new builds around YKA.

“We have a minimum improvement value of $300,000 to be eligible for the tax exemption and the term of the tax exemption is 10 years,” explained Stephen Bentley, the city’s community planning manager. “It’s a 100 per cent tax break on the increased assessed value of the improvements.”

There are approximately 97 available lots at Kamloops Airport ranging from an acre to 10 acres (0.4 hectare to four hectares) in size. It’ll be developed in phases and airport officials say whatever kind of business people have ideas for, there is probably room for them at Kamloops Airport.

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Bill Sarai chairs the Kamloops Airport Authority Society and he mentioned how they are in a chicken and egg scenario with development at Fulton Field. That’s as while developers are looking at the airport lands, they’re wanting to see more traffic through the area before they invest.

“To entice development out their and spur that traffic count. And I think once we get one or two landmark developments out there, that the airport will be not only a source of revenue for the city of Kamloops it will be an economic driver on the ground and in the air,” said Sarai.

by Michael Reeve

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Kamloops council looks to spur development around YKA through tax exemption

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