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.
Lake Country Scenic Sip Trail – Showcasing Hidden Gems Along Hwy 97
Lake Country and area, between Vernon and Kelowna, is a hidden gem comprised of lush rolling hillsides rich with produce, expansive serene lake views and tranquil vistas as far as the eye can see. Almost half of the land is within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), with farming and wine tourism being vital contributors to the area`s heritage and the local economy. The common challenge for local businesses is enticing tourists and travelers to leave the highway and explore the many farmgate businesses and wineries that the Lake Country area has to offer.
Encouraging travellers to stop on their way to bigger centres and enjoy what Lake Country has to offer as a destination is a challenge that the District of Lake Country and its Chamber of Commerce have been grappling with since the community`s incorporation over 25 years ago. Add a global pandemic to the mix and the result was a huge decline in tourism traffic, which negatively affected local businesses, since 30% of Lake Country businesses rely on tourism.
With tourism showing signs of recovery, the District of Lake Country harnessed the power of digital technology along with old school advertising to develop a marketing plan to capture the attention of those itching to safely travel once again. Funding support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) allowed The District of Lake Country to accelerate their marketing plans in readiness for the upcoming tourist season but also to capture local day trippers.
The Lake Country team worked with a local marketing group to develop a community brand exposure plan that would generate a robust online presence and visual route markers throughout the region. A responsive and eye-catching website is currently being created to assist in providing visitor information on the area in conjunction with utilizing captivating imagery to showcase the community`s welcoming atmosphere. User friendly maps highlighting business locations, points of interest, parks and farm gate sales will allow visitors to plan and customize their travel routes along the Scenic Sip Trail.
Following the lead of other scenic routes within the Okanagan, Scenic Sip Trail signs have recently been placed throughout the District to assist in promoting easy access points from highway corridors and wayfinding throughout the community making sure visitors get to where they want to go. In addition, two billboard signs have been installed in West Kelowna and Kelowna directing motorists where to turn off the highway.
The District has also created brightly coloured and weatherproof photo cut-out signs to artistically display the active community`s expanse of agriculture and tourism experiences. These interactive and eye-catching signs have been placed in the community parks of Swalwell, Woodsdale entrance to the Rail Trail and the Oyama boat launch. To create a “buzz on a budget” a digital contest is planned for the upcoming year to inspire residents and visitors alike to post and share their Lake Country experiences utilizing the hashtag “#SipEatShopBe” to win gift certificates to community businesses. The District of Lake Country will monitor the use of the hashtag over the coming months to evaluate the initiatives overall success.
“Being able to accelerate the District`s economic development plan through this project has been an exciting challenge. If it wasn`t for the generous funding from ETSI-BC, the volume of marketing and communication completed in 2021 would not have been possible. Businesses in the community, regardless of what services they provide will all benefit from the increase of visitors as well as commerce awareness throughout the community.” #SipEatShopBe – Ruth Sulentich, Economic Development Specialist, District of Lake Country.
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
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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.
2027-30 Strategic Planning and DAAP 4.39 Updates
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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.