A new 200-acre business park is taking shape in the District of Lake Country. The development will create space for new types of businesses, attract investment, support local jobs, and provide housing options close to where people work. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the project is helping one of BC’s fastest-growing communities prepare for the future.
Unlocking the Power of Data! 2024 Webinar Series
ETSI-BC is pleased to engage Community Futures East Kootenay to again offer a new and improved “Data 101: How to Use Data to Your Advantage.” This FREE five-part interactive webinar series will illustrate the transformative potential of data, for communities in the Southern Interior of British Columbia. Data is not merely numbers; it’s the key to informed decision-making, strategic planning, and sustainable growth. This webinar series aims to empower smaller rural communities that often face challenges in accessing and interpreting relevant community and economic development data.
Join Us in Empowering Your Community!
This webinar series is beneficial for community leaders, decision-makers, and anyone passionate about fostering growth in Southern Interior communities. Don’t miss the chance to turn anecdotal decision-making into decisions grounded in evidence and data.
Schedule:
|
Session |
Date |
Time (Pacific) |
Session Topic |
|
1. |
Jan 24, 2024 |
9 -10:30 am |
Introduction to Data 101 |
|
2. |
Feb 7, 2024 |
9 -10:30 am |
What is Data and How to Use It |
|
3. |
Feb 21, 2024 |
1-2:30 pm |
Filling the Gaps – Sourcing and Collecting Data |
|
4. |
Mar 6, 2024 |
9 -10:30 am |
Creating a Decision Based Culture |
|
5. |
Mar 20, 2024 |
1-2:30 pm |
Telling Your Story with the Data |
Join us for Data 101 by Zoom. Attend any session you like or all the webinars in the FREE series.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Data 101 Session Descriptions – Click here to view or download the full course outline.
|
Session |
Date |
Time (PT) |
Session Descriptions |
|
1. |
Jan 24, 2024 |
9 -10:30 am |
Introduction to Data 101 Join Mike Stolte as he welcomes you to the series, introduces its importance, addresses challenges in smaller communities, and kickstarts the journey. |
|
2. |
Feb 7, 2024 |
9 -10:30 am |
What is Data is Available and How to Use It Join Jayme Jones to understand how to effectively use the data that exists and how to avoid pitfalls in its analysis and interpretation. |
|
3. |
Feb 21, 2024 |
1 -2:30 pm |
Filling the Gaps – Sourcing and Collecting Relevant Data Join Dr. Sarah-Patrica Breen to understand the common mistakes in data collection and interpretation and how to avoid them. |
|
4. |
Mar 6, 2024 |
9 -10:30 am |
Creating a Decision Based Culture Join the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission to understand the benefits of a decision-based mindset and how this supports change and growth |
|
5. |
Mar 20, 2024 |
1 -2:30 pm |
Telling Your Story with the Data Put together everything that has been learned. Explore a case study from ETSI-BC. Leave with a clear set of actions with regards to accessing and analyzing data in your own community. |
All sessions will include interactive discussions using tools such as polls, breakout rooms, whiteboards, open conversation and networking.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
More News & Stories
How One Region Overcame the Tourism Impacts of a 5-Month Ferry Strike
When the Central Kootenay communities of Balfour and the East Shore of Kootenay Lake were hit with a lengthy ferry strike in late 2024, economic development and tourism partners worked closely with businesses on both sides of Kootenay Lake to address the impacts of a significant loss of visitors to the area. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior, (ETSI-BC), the area’s Destination Marketing Organization, Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism (NKLT), quickly launched the “No Better Time, No Better Place” marketing campaign as soon as the strike ended, encouraging visitors to return to the communities most affected.
ETSI-BC in the Spotlight
October 14, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) ) was featured today in BC Business Magazine, alongside our fellow regional trusts, Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) and Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET).
ETSI-BC Fall Funding Intake Draws Impressive Regional Interest
October 8, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) received an impressive response to its 2026 Fall Funding Intake from communities and organizations across the region. The intake closed on October 8, 2026, with 43 applications requesting nearly $1.9 million in funding for projects with a combined project value of over $3.8 million.
Township of Spallumcheen Digs Deep in Planning New Agriculture Business Hub
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.
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.