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
Inspiring Example of Collaboration that Nurtures New Entrepreneurs
Heading into its second year, the Kootenay Entrepreneurship Program (KEP) is proving as innovative as the participants it attracts.
Two post-secondary institutions – Selkirk College, and College of the Rockies – and the Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST) partnered in 2022 to create the Kootenay Youth Entrepreneurship Program. These innovative organizations decided that by working together, they would be able to reach more youth, students and recent graduates in BC’s Kootenay region to help them develop entrepreneurial skills that are so crucial for today’s workplace.
The partners have learned from their experience offering the program in its first couple years, and developed a new version of this innovative program, providing enhanced entrepreneurial training across the Kootenay region. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) was delighted to provide funding for the KEP partnership, and is excited by this approach to developing local talent. “This highly collaborative project will help create new products, businesses, services and jobs within the region,” says Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC.
Bridging the Gap in Entrepreneurial Training
KEP addresses gaps within the programs of the each of the partners. KAST, the regional tech business accelerator for example, offers programs for students grades K-12 in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM), as well as programs to support established technology businesses and entrepreneurs who want to grow/expand their ventures. KAST identified a gap in their programming for students wanting to learn how to turn their entrepreneurial skills into new ventures.
Selkirk College has a number of business programs, and the College of the Rockies offers a Bachelor of Business Administration. Both also have non-business programs with a high degree of potential for students to develop their own business ventures. The three organizations decided to put their heads together to reach the most people the most effectively.
Later, Kootenay Outdoor Recreational Enterprise (KORE) became a valuable participant in KEP by building an entrepreneurial networking and learning event into its KORE Outdoor Rec Tech Summit. The KEP partners hosted the networking event attended by 15 students and recent graduates and provided funding for them to attend the KORE Summit. Students engaged with a variety of entrepreneurs, speakers and mentors from the KORE community to gain first-hand information and inspiration.
A post-event survey highlighted the value of the KORE experience. “My greatest takeaway was learning that these entrepreneurs were not afraid to take risks. They seized every opportunity they could to find, faced failure multiple times, and learned from it,” said one respondent.
From Start-up Showdown to International Competitions
Mike Konkin, Business Administration Instructor at Selkirk College coordinated the second KEP Startup Showdown event, designed to generate interest in entrepreneurship, enhance participants’ awareness of their skills, ideas and areas for improvement, and build their networks.
The Showdown included a Business Simulation Competition where students made strategic decisions around a business model related to marketing, pricing and corporate social responsibility. The team with the highest stock value was the winner. A Business Pitch Competition was also held where teams were tasked with developing a business idea to pitch to a panel of local entrepreneurs. The winning team was recognized for having the best pitch presentation and business concept.
In addition, an optional skills building workshop was held for students in Selkirk’s Digital Fabrication and Design (DFAB) program. The workshop dove deep into business startup considerations including team building, startup financing, compliance requirements and strategic planning.
An exciting outcome for two Selkirk students – Jaspreet Kaur and Deepak Kuma Angurala – was qualifying to participate in Mikes Bikes World Champs Competition, that took place in January 2025. The event welcomes teams from around the world compete in developing a strategy and business plan for a potential bike manufacturing business. Participants develop critical skills needed in the modern business landscape such as strategic thinking, decision-making and adaptability to changing scenarios.
The new KEP intake started in February 2025 and the program will continue to evolve as new opportunities are identified. “KEP addresses the same entrepreneurial skills that are needed in regular businesses, says Konkin. “It should be fundamental to all business training.”
More News & Stories
Helping Shape the Future of ETSI-BC Support in the Southern Interior
May 11, 2026 – ETSI-BC is inviting partners from across the Southern Interior to participate in a series of virtual focus groups as part of an Impact Assessment that will inform its next three-year Strategic Plan, covering the period from April 1, 2027 to March 31, 2030.
Similkameen Economic Vitality Plan Drives Growth and Resilience
Keremeos, one of the fastest growing rural communities in British Columbia, has evolved from its agricultural heritage to a business hub at the heart of the Similkameen region with a robust tourist sector and vast potential to develop new business opportunities. In 2024, the Similkameen Country Development Association initiated a comprehensive Economic Vitality Initiative to better address the pressing needs of local businesses. Collaboration by many stakeholders along with funding support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) drove the plan to completion, and the strategies it contains are now being implemented.
Ktunaxa Business Showcase Links Indigenous Businesses to Procurement Opportunities
The Ktunaxa Business Showcase, led by the Ktunaxa Nation Council (KNC), is expanding, improving and helping members secure new business contracts in southeastern BC. The success of the most recent 2025 Showcase event reflects strategic changes to the program’s timeline and format, and was supported by funding from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).
Strong Demand for ETSI-BC Spring Funding Intake
April 15, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) closed its 2026 Spring Funding Intake, with a strong response from communities and organizations across the region. The intake closed on April 9, 2026, with 48 applications requesting nearly $1.7 million in funding, representing a combined project value of almost $4 million.
2026 ETSI-BC Legislative Review
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Stepping up the PACE of Inclusive Employment in Penticton
Creating flexible, part-time job opportunities for workers with barriers has been the driving force behind The Penticton & Area Cooperative Enterprise (PACE) for more than 20 years. Hundreds of employees have found sustainable jobs with local employers based on PACE’s job-sharing model to fill full-time positions.
With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), PACE has standardized and expanded its model to ensure more people can access paid work in the community and employers have access to labour market solutions, which are increasing economic growth in the Penticton area and beyond.
Columbia Valley on a Roll as Film Production Provides Region-Wide Benefits
With its spectacular landscapes and the small-town charm of communities like Radium, Invermere and Fairmont Hot Springs, the Columbia Valley in the East Kootenay region has been the backdrop of film productions for decades. In 2024, Columbia Valley Community Economic Development (CVCEDO) built on this momentum by hiring a Film Coordinator to ensure the Columbia Valley was the location of choice for two new productions and create a strategy for long-term growth of the film sector. The project was supported with a grant from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).
CF Central Okanagan Leadership Program Teaches Businesses Sustainability Practices
An innovative program to help new and expanding businesses build sustainable business practices (SD) into their ventures has resulted in a model for long-term business growth and economic capacity building in the Okanagan. The Sustainable Business Development Leadership Program created by Community Futures Central Okanagan was supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC). It provides valuable insights into Sustainable Business Practices and the training serves as a model that could be shared with Community Futures clients in other regions.
Benefits of Social Enterprise Explored in the Boundary
Backed by ETSI-BC, the Trails to the Boundary Society (TTTBS) are helping nonprofits move beyond grants to build sustainable revenue.