Since 2021, the Township of Spallumcheen has been exploring the development of a regional Agri-Hub to strengthen local food distribution and support agricultural growth. With support from ETSI-BC, the Township is developing a phased business plan to help build a resilient and profitable agricultural sector for the future.
2027-30 Strategic Planning and DAAP 4.39 Updates
Strategic Plan 2027-30
Thanks to all those who responded to survey and participated in our focus groups in May and June.
The findings will directly shape ETSI-BC’s 2027–30 strategic plan. This comprehensive consultation process, which has already gathered input from over 43 focus group participants, Board members, operational team, and 33 community interest holders, ensures that our next strategic direction reflects the voices and priorities of the communities we serve. The Board received a preliminary summary of input received at its June 19 board meeting held in Summerland BC. All the suggestions and ideas will be summarized and presented in more detail at the October 2 Board meeting taking place in Creston BC.
The new plan, launching April 1, 2027, will position ETSI-BC to build on the strengths which stakeholders identified while addressing emerging opportunities and challenges in economic development across our region.
DAAP 4.39 Update
To recap actions to date:
- Engagement was carried out with all 32 First Nations in the ETSI-BC service area in 2024-25, including in-depth presentations to 26 of those First Nations. Following that, 3 Steering Committee meetings were held to develop detailed recommendations. All 5 Nations in ETSI-BC service area were represented at those meetings.
- In June 2025, the consultant’s recommendations were submitted to the Province of BC, with First Nation, RAC and Board endorsement.
- Since that time, the ETSI-BC CEO has met regularly with the ADM and ED from the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth (JEG), along with the other two Trust CEOs to discuss next steps.
- In November 2025, JEG struck a Working Group consisting of First Nations representatives from each of the 3 Trust regions to co-develop changes to our legislation to enable the region’s First Nations to become part of the decision-making of the Trusts (ie part of the RACs and Board).
- That Working Group has met 3 times, and different versions of the Intentions Paper have been reviewed. Trust CEOs attended these Working Group meetings. The last meeting was on March 31. The final draft Intentions Paper was promised shortly thereafter, but it has not been circulated. The plan was to submit the Request for Decision to Cabinet once the Intentions Paper was endorsed by the Working Group.
- Working Group members from the Southern Interior and the Independent Legislative Review Committee for ETSI-BC, in its latest report dated March 2026, have recommended that ETSI-BC RACs not be required to have equal numbers of Indigenous and non-Indigenous members. This is consistent with the recommendations we put forward in the submission of June 2025.
- JEG has developed a public engagement plan to vet the Request for Decision once it is submitted, which includes a separate session for local government, RACs and Trust Boards. The timing of these sessions is not confirmed, and it is not clear whether the proposed changes to our Acts will be brought forward in the fall 2026 sitting of the legislature, as previously planned.
- We will continue to keep all our interest-holders updated on DAAP 4.39 developments. We are hopeful that the changes to our Act will be enabling and not prescriptive, and that local government will have an opportunity for meaningful input.
More News & Stories
New Tourism Strategy Transforms Grand Forks from a Highway Stop to a Destination
The Southern Interior community of Grand Forks has completed a major rebuild and relaunch of its original tourism strategy, shifting the community from being a quick stopping point on Highway 3 to a tourism destination. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the strategy served to develop new tourism assets attracting more visitors and generating increased revenue for local businesses.
Sicamous Tourism Strategy Builds a Path for Sustainable Growth
From houseboating to sledding, hiking, biking, and birding, Sicamous is the tourism hub of the Shuswap region. While summer visitors fill Sicamous with activity, off-season visitations drop sharply, prompting the community to pursue a more diversified and sustainable year-round tourism future. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the District of Sicamous Development Corporation in revitalizing the community’s tourism sector with a dynamic, five-year tourism strategy to 2030.
Forestry Strategy Positions ?aq’am First Nation for New Opportunities
Increased timber harvest allocations for BC’s First Nations are opening the door to new business opportunities for enterprising First Nations communities such as ?aq’am in the East Kootenays. With funding support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), ?aq’am developed a forestry business scan, a strategy to build capacity for projects made possible by the expanded forest tenure. The scan is guiding ?aq’am to increase its role in forestry as it pursues a resilient and sustainable future.
ETSI-BC Welcomes Krista Mallory as Regional Project and Strategic Initiatives Manager
July 29, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC)) is pleased to announce that Krista Mallory will be joining the organization as its new Regional Project and Strategic Initiatives Manager effective October 1, 2026.
Wayfinding in Barriere for Economic Resilience and Growth
When a major fire destroyed the Tolko sawmill in the North Thompson region near Barriere in 2003, residents and stakeholders rallied to rebuild and redefine the community’s economic future. As the community has evolved, so have the systems that help residents and visitors navigate in and around Barriere, including a multi-phase Wayfinding Strategy launched in 2024. The project, supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is aimed at boosting visitor traffic and attracting more business investment, ensuring a strong and resilient future.
Five-Year Plan Strengthens ?aq’am Community Enterprises
?aq’am Community Enterprises (ACE) is the economic development arm of the ?aq’am First Nation, the largest member of Ktunaxa Nation. Known for its progressive business development goals, ACE undertook a comprehensive review of its strategic priorities. The result is a dynamic new five-year strategic plan that will guide more efficient, tactical, and resilient delivery of ACE’s programs and services. The project was supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).
Thompson-Okanagan Launches New Economic Development Practitioners Network
After a year of work connecting economic development practitioners across the Thompson-Okanagan, the region’s first Economic Development Practitioners Network (EDPN) is now in place. Modelled after the Kootenay Boundary EDPN created in 2014, the Thompson Okanagan EDPN includes community and municipal and First Nations economic development practitioners, Chambers of Commerce, Community Futures and other stakeholders. The group came together for the first time on April 8, 2026, where they learned, shared ideas and information, and further planned future activities. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is committed to supporting both the Kootenay Boundary and Thompson-Okanagan networks of economic development practitioners.
ETSI-BC Fall 2026 Funding Intake: Up to $1M Available for Projects
June 18, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is pleased to announce that its next Funding Intake will launch on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 and close on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
ETSI-BC Spring Funding Intake Invests Over $1 Million to Strengthen the Southern Interior Economy
June 8, 2026 – Communities across British Columbia’s Southern Interior are set to benefit from a new round of investment through the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior. On June 5, 2026, ETSI-BC approved $1,011,000 in funding for 33 projects, representing a combined project value of $3 million. The funded initiatives will help communities diversify their local economies, support innovation, and respond to regional opportunities