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).
Beyond the River – Greater Trail Builds a New Tourism Sector
The rural communities of Greater Trail provide a dynamic downhill skiing experience in the winter months, generating revenue for the local economy. But a successful season relies on ideal weather conditions and without a regional destination marketing organization, the area has struggled to attract tourist in the off-seasons.
In 2019, Community Futures Greater Trail created an innovative approach to all-season tourism development by building on the area’s world-class rainbow trout sport fishery.
Seasoned anglers have long visited the South Kootenay region in all seasons to experience some serious sport fishing despite minimal marketing of the sector. The WeSportFish.com (WSF) website was created to broaden awareness of sportfishing opportunities on the Columbia River between Castlegar and Trail with articles on fish species, how and when to fish, fishing reports, new stories and other fishing information. By also promoted fishing guides and accommodations in Castlegar, Rossland and Trail, the site was expected to generate bookings for the 2020 season. Just a few months after it was launched, COVID-19 travel restrictions went into effect and the project was put on hold.
Three years later, with the restrictions lifted, Community Futures Trail partnered with the Trail and District Chamber of Commerce and the Lower Columbia Community Development Team Society to relaunch the WSF project with a new, “Beyond the River” campaign. Beyond the River is both a tourism initiative and buy-local campaign that engages local businesses and residents to promote local sportfishing.
“The project is part of a phased tourism development project aimed at creating a destination marketing organization for the region,” says Ron Perepolkin, Community Economic Development Coordinator for Community Futures Greater Trail.
The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the relaunch as a way for Greater Trail to expand and diversify its tourism capacity. It is hoped that the collaboration taking place among residents, businesses and economic stakeholders will inspire other initiatives that support business retention and expansion efforts in the Greater Trail area.
“Stick-It” Contest a Win for Locals and Visitors
Initially, 12 businesses from Trail, Rossland and Fruitvale participated in the buy local campaign by putting 1,300 WeSportFish.com vinyl stickers into circulation. Each sticker had a unique code word from a participating merchant. By entering the code word online, residents could win a prize donated by the merchant.
Residents who included a picture of where they placed the sticker or included an itinerary of how to spend an amazing day “Beyond the River” were entered to win additional prizes from the merchants and other donors. The merchants used their social media platforms to invite followers to visit their businesses and local media also pitched in to promote participation in the contest.
When the contest was over, a new section “Beyond the River” section was added to WSF website dedicated to things to do after a great day of fishing. Interest was strong from the beginning; unique visitors to the WSF site have increased by over 32 percent since it was launched and close to 60 businesses as well as events and activities are now showcased on the site to inspire anglers and their families to visit.
Project Boosts Community Pride and Resilience
“WeSportFish.com is the only tourism asset that markets the entire region rather than a single community,” Perepolkin points out. “The sport fishing sector is growing, and jobs will be created when new guides are required when existing companies reach capacity. There is a renewed sense of pride and resilience as our communities discover the value of tourism to economic development.”
The project is expected to have the greatest impact during the 2024 fishing season when anglers typically plan their next fishing vacation. In the meantime, Community Futures Greater Trail has joined the Trail and District Chamber’s steering committee to create a South Kootenay Tourism Management Plan that will market the entire South Kootenay region.
More News & Stories
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.
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.