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.
A New Independent Development Corporation Signals Major Growth for Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc
With a new economic development structure and brand, the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS), a progressive community committed to attaining self-sufficiency and independence through education and economic development, is poised for significant growth.
For many years, the TteS economic development department operated under band administration and was governed by Chief and Council. As part of its 2022-25 strategic plan, a new economic entity was created – Sc.wén̓wen – which operates arms-length from Chief and Council. Aligning with the new entity, a fresh image and branding initiative highlights the increased economic development capabilities and capacity at TteS.
“This is a huge step forward that will enable us to move at the speed of business,” says Krista Stoesz, Economic Development Officer for Sc.wén̓wen. An estimated 20 new businesses and 100 jobs will be created within the next three to five years as projects are completed.
With its mandate to support smaller communities and First Nations in the Southern Interior region, the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) previously supported TteS in creating its strategic plan. ETSI-BC also supported the recent branding initiative through its Building Economic Capacity funding stream.
“Branding is a vital part of economic development,” says Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC. “A comprehensive branding strategy communicates to investors, businesses, residents and stakeholders why people should visit, invest and work in a community.”
Indigenous Culture Key to Brand Development
The ETSI-BC funding enabled Sc.wén̓wen to engage Indigenous Marketing Solutions (IMS) to develop its new branding strategy. Not only does the new brand open the door to more diverse businesses, it is also helping revitalize TteS’s language and culture.
IMS worked collaboratively with TteS member Kel-C Jules to create the new logo for Sc.wén̓wen which features a loon, symbolic of patience, resilience, and reclamation. “The logo also represents fresh starts, new opportunities, and a positive economic outlook, themes we integrate into our everyday values.” says Stoesz.
The marketing strategy also supports the community’s vision to grow beyond its mainly industrial landscape. “More coffee shops, restaurants and housing developments will create a sense of place,” says Stoesz.
Large-Scale Sustainable Projects Underway
Sc.wén̓wen has been actively developing the Chief Louis Crossing commercial complex, located on the Yellowhead Highway, a major route to and from the Lower Mainland. The complex opened in October 2023 with the Sweláps Market, a 22,000 sq. foot band-owned grocery store as its anchor tenant. Chief Louis Pharmacy IDA has been approved as a new tenant, and the community’s second Petro-Canada station, a Starbucks with a drive through and electric car charging will soon be part of the complex.
The economic strategy for TteS prioritizes collaborative projects. One example is Tk̓emlúps Transload, a lumber and construction reload facility created through a joint venture with Arrow Reload.
The new Stswékstem Engineered Waste Management Facility, a partnership with Kamloops-based Grassland Organics, is unique in its ability to accept multiple waste streams at a single location and redirect materials from the landfill toward more sustainable uses. Another potential project with a North American railway will help relieve pressure on the Port of Vancouver by providing inland rail storage.
Many other projects are in the feasibility stage including a partnership to build a large sustainable renewable fuels facility at the band’s 7-mile location, and a joint venture agreement to start a civil works company, Tk̓emlúps Contracting.
Sc.wén̓wen has also launched a small business support program to help with Indigenous procurement and supports for entrepreneurs. The Sc.wén̓wen website will identify tenant vacancies, and leasing and partnership opportunities.
“You can’t do something this ambitious without the visual representation that ties everything together,” says Stoesz. “We finally have the capacity to attract new industries, drive innovation, create jobs and build a financial legacy for Tk̓emlúps members and community.”
More News & Stories
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.
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.