?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).
Building a Robust Network of Economic Development Professionals in the Columbian Basin/Boundary Area
A valuable resource for economic development in the Columbia Basin/Boundary region is expanding to keep pace with significant growth and change in the area.
The Economic Development Practitioners Network (EDPN) is an active and engaged network of community economic development (CED) professionals located throughout the Basin/Boundary region. In 10 years, it has grown to more than forty members: CEDs and individuals who have a primary role in economic development within municipalities, First Nations, Chambers of Commerce, Communities Futures and Trusts.
Outgoing EDPN Chair Hugh Moore describes the organization as a go-to point for information and expertise. “We connect economic development practitioners with consultants who have specific experience, facilitate collaboration between communities on projects, and share best practices,” says Moore. Members also come together to strategize on regional issues such as transportation of goods and housing needs.
The economic landscape of the Basin/Boundary region has changed over the last two years – projects are taking place on a broader scale and more contractors with diverse expertise are moving to the area. The EDPN has also grown as an organization and wanted to better understand and meet the needs of its members.
This direction aligns with ETSI-BC’s strategy to create value for the economic development ecosystem. The Trust provided the EDPN with grant funding to develop strategic tools to maintain and grow a strong and effective network of practitioners.
Creating an Inventory and Asset Map of Economic Development Professionals
An inventory of CEDs is being created to expand awareness of the knowledge, experience and expertise that exists within the region. It will include economic development practitioners working within municipalities and regions as well as individuals who work in the field as part of larger organizations such as universities and consulting firms. The inventory will also include independent consultants and contractors who provide services to CEDs such as market research, website design and strategy development.
The project will produce an asset map of CEDs in the region. An asset map is a valuable tool for increasing awareness of talent and resources within a geographic area. It also ensures contractors from within the region are considered by EDOs when projects are tendered to keep money circulating locally.
A Storehouse for Sharing Best Practices
EDPN members engage in anecdotal sharing, but an actual storehouse of best practices does not yet exist. The ETSI-BC funding will support the development of an active website containing its inventory of CEDs, collected best practices, a database of forms and templates accessible to EDPN members, and a virtual bulletin board where members can post questions and notifications of projects and initiatives. Contracts and job postings could potentially be posted here as well.
By this fall, the EDPN will also explore a collaborative initiative with a similar organization of economic development practitioners in the Thompson Okanagan region. “Ultimately we hope to see practitioners from all parts of the province participating in this powerful network,” says Moore.
“This organization has been an invaluable resource for me for many years,” says Tammy Verigin-Burk, Executive Director of the Castlegar Chamber of Commerce, and incoming Chair for the EDPN. “I look forward to this new chapter in the EDPN’s evolution.”
Adds Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC, “The EDPN itself is a real best practice that is modelling regional collaboration in economic development.”
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.