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.
Laurel Douglas Named Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year
November 19, 2020 – The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce announced today that Laurel Douglas has been named Business Leader of the Year for 2020. This prestigious award recognizes and celebrates Douglas, a longtime Kelowna non-profit and community leader, who has supported many businesses, community organizations and has served as a mentor and resource for many individuals over the years.
Appointed the CEO of SIDIT—the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust—earlier this year, Douglas comes to her current position from the Women`s Enterprise Centre (WEC), which supports women entrepreneurs throughout BC with financing, training, mentoring and resources. Under her leadership, the profile and impact of WEC grew in BC, nationally and internationally. Her outstanding contributions are well-recognized in the local community and beyond.
Prior to heading up WEC, Douglas spent many years in the tech sector. After she arrived in the Okanagan in 1997, she was the founding Executive Director of the tech support organization now known as Accelerate Okanagan. She also worked with an affiliate of the National Research Council`s IRAP program for several years, helping tech entrepreneurs access capital and markets.
“We”re thrilled that our Business Excellence Awards independent judging panel has chosen Laurel as the 2020 recipient of our coveted Business Leader of the Year Award,” said Jeffrey Robinson, President of the Kelowna Chamber.
“Laurel, through her long-standing support of the community, has enriched our city and our region. She has championed entrepreneurs and provided valuable community leadership in the economic development and post-secondary sectors. She continues to leave a legacy of strategic thinking, impact and collaboration in the positions she has held. In her new role at SIDIT, we are confident that her steady hand and clear-headed planning will create great outcomes for this important regional economic development organization.”
Douglas will receive her award at this year’s 33rd annual Business Excellence Awards online celebration on Thursday November 26th, held from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Registration and tickets are available online at the Chamber`s website at www.kelownachamber.org until the event begins.
“I’m honoured to be named Business Leader of the Year, in recognition of the work I`ve done in this region over the last 23 years, helping develop the Okanagan tech sector, supporting women entrepreneurs throughout BC, and now helping the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust enter its next chapter,” says Douglas. “When I arrived in Kelowna, I wanted to use my background in business to help entrepreneurs access capital, knowledge and markets, and to help create the conditions to encourage economic development in our region. I`ve had the privilege of working with wonderful team members and volunteer board members over the years, who are all committed to making a difference, and are working very hard during this difficult time to support business and community resilience and recovery.” “Thanks again to the Kelowna Chamber for this award. I’d also like to acknowledge the great work the Chamber has done this year on behalf of its members, and in collaboration with the other partners in the region.”
MNP LLP is the long-time sponsor of the Business Leader of the Year Award and will be presenting the award to Douglas during the online Awards Gala on November 26th.
For more information, or media interviews, please contact:
Caroline Miller or Dan Rogers
250-718-7302 or 250 469-7351
cmiller@kelownachamber.org or dan@kelownachamber.org
We’d love to hear from you!
201 – 460 Doyle Ave, Kelowna, BC V1Y 0C2
Phone: 236-420-3680 ext. 0
info@etsi-bc.ca
More News & Stories
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.
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.