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.
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 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.
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).