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.
Building a Robust Network of Economic Development Professionals in the Columbian Basin/Boundary Area
A valuable resource for economic development in the Columbia Basin/Boundary region is expanding to keep pace with significant growth and change in the area.
The Economic Development Practitioners Network (EDPN) is an active and engaged network of community economic development (CED) professionals located throughout the Basin/Boundary region. In 10 years, it has grown to more than forty members: CEDs and individuals who have a primary role in economic development within municipalities, First Nations, Chambers of Commerce, Communities Futures and Trusts.
Outgoing EDPN Chair Hugh Moore describes the organization as a go-to point for information and expertise. “We connect economic development practitioners with consultants who have specific experience, facilitate collaboration between communities on projects, and share best practices,” says Moore. Members also come together to strategize on regional issues such as transportation of goods and housing needs.
The economic landscape of the Basin/Boundary region has changed over the last two years – projects are taking place on a broader scale and more contractors with diverse expertise are moving to the area. The EDPN has also grown as an organization and wanted to better understand and meet the needs of its members.
This direction aligns with ETSI-BC’s strategy to create value for the economic development ecosystem. The Trust provided the EDPN with grant funding to develop strategic tools to maintain and grow a strong and effective network of practitioners.
Creating an Inventory and Asset Map of Economic Development Professionals
An inventory of CEDs is being created to expand awareness of the knowledge, experience and expertise that exists within the region. It will include economic development practitioners working within municipalities and regions as well as individuals who work in the field as part of larger organizations such as universities and consulting firms. The inventory will also include independent consultants and contractors who provide services to CEDs such as market research, website design and strategy development.
The project will produce an asset map of CEDs in the region. An asset map is a valuable tool for increasing awareness of talent and resources within a geographic area. It also ensures contractors from within the region are considered by EDOs when projects are tendered to keep money circulating locally.
A Storehouse for Sharing Best Practices
EDPN members engage in anecdotal sharing, but an actual storehouse of best practices does not yet exist. The ETSI-BC funding will support the development of an active website containing its inventory of CEDs, collected best practices, a database of forms and templates accessible to EDPN members, and a virtual bulletin board where members can post questions and notifications of projects and initiatives. Contracts and job postings could potentially be posted here as well.
By this fall, the EDPN will also explore a collaborative initiative with a similar organization of economic development practitioners in the Thompson Okanagan region. “Ultimately we hope to see practitioners from all parts of the province participating in this powerful network,” says Moore.
“This organization has been an invaluable resource for me for many years,” says Tammy Verigin-Burk, Executive Director of the Castlegar Chamber of Commerce, and incoming Chair for the EDPN. “I look forward to this new chapter in the EDPN’s evolution.”
Adds Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC, “The EDPN itself is a real best practice that is modelling regional collaboration in economic development.”
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.
2027-30 Strategic Planning and DAAP 4.39 Updates
June 25, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is grateful for the input from partners, funding recipients, committee members and other regional stakeholders who have taken the time to help inform our next three-year Strategic Plan for 2027-30. We are also pleased to provide an update on the status of the DAAP 4.39 action item.
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.