?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).
First Southeastern BC Agriculture Forum Creates Partnerships for Ongoing Collaboration
In response to severe climate change and other impacts on agriculture, the first Southeastern BC Agriculture Forum, held in March of 2025 in Creston, addressed the region’s most critical issues. The inaugural event had a packed agenda that brought food producers together with policy and decision-makers, leaving participants eager to see the forum held on a regular basis.
The project was led by Kootenay Employment Services Society (KES) through the Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake Economic Action Partnership Program (CVLEAP), which was created in 2017 to develop an economic action strategy for the Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake area. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) provided funding for the event and spoke with Ben Sargent, Executive Director of KES about the value of the forum today and into the future.
What was the impetus for this event?
Ben: In the Southern Interior of BC, extreme weather events are critically stressing producers’ abilities to maintain their operations, reducing food security and threatening the livelihood of the area’s mainly rural communities. From droughts to unexpected cold snaps, pest infestations and forest fires, the Creston area has been hit especially hard. It was time to have serious conversations around these issues and pursue a more resilient agricultural community.
How is the forum model different from other agriculture gatherings that are taking place in the province?
A variety of similar events exist in major centres, but the Southern Interior agriculture community lacks opportunities for professional development and networking. It is a big deal for farmers to make the time to get together like this, so we wanted to provide lots of value. By including politicians and other agricultural decision makers, we created a dynamic environment for education, connections and conversations. The politicians who attended left with an understanding of the uniqueness of agriculture in our region and our needs are top of mind while they are in Parliament.
What did the participants discuss and learn?
While the main focus was on equipping producers with tools to address the changing climate, the speakers provided insights to sustainability and risk management of tree fruits, heat stress in cattle, and emergency preparedness – all real-life impacts our farmers are dealing with today. Other presentations focused on the process to exporting, managing water needs, invasive species, and succession planning. Supports for new and aspiring farmers, pathways to land access, financial tools, grant programs, and other support services were also discussed.
How important was regional collaboration to the forum’s success?
As the delivery organization for the EAP, KES was well positioned to lean on partners and their deep connections in community to make sure the event was a success. It was particularly critical for us to engage regional stakeholders early on in the planning process to understand what topics ought to be included. A number of sessions were focused on support to agri-forestry organizations and agri-tourism operators, amplifying the impact of the event beyond agriculture alone. A productive partnership between KES and the Fields Forward Society laid the foundation for continued delivery of the Agri-Forum.
How did you measure success of the project?
Through a post-event survey, participants showed a strong desire to continue the event every one to two years, have even more interactive sessions and networking opportunities, and more presentations by local producers. The connections made have paved the way for greater support and advancement of the industry and will support cluster development and industry competitiveness.
The event welcomed 123 participants, including representatives from 55 local businesses. Of these, 40 were food producers and agri-businesses that benefited directly from the knowledge shared. In addition, 15 local businesses were selected as vendors or subcontractors for the event. The forum also attracted out of town visitors to the valley during the off-season, providing a welcome boost to local hospitality, retail and the food and beverage sectors.
Products and services that emerge from the event are still in the early stages of development, but as relationships grow and ideas take shape, tangible outcomes will materialize. In the meantime, we’re already tweaking the format for future iterations of the event.
More News & Stories
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.
ETSI-BC Spring Funding Intake Invests Over $1 Million to Strengthen the Southern Interior Economy
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
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
March 30, 2026 – We are pleased to present the findings and recommendations of the 2026 ETSI-BC Legislative Review Committee. The Committee reviewed the Act that governs ETSI-BC and the proposed changes that the Province has put forward this year. A Legislative Review is conducted every 5 years by an independent committee. This year in particular, their report has several important recommendations of relevance to First Nations and local governments in the Southern Interior, and to the Province.