?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).
Creston Food Hub Expands Support for Local Food Entrepreneurs
In 2023, after only a year in full operation, the Kootenay Farms Food Hub (KFF Hub) in Creston was running at capacity, supporting local food focused entrepreneurs with access to equipment, guidance on product development, and a rentable commissary kitchen. With the hiring of three skilled individuals to help with the workload, the KFF Hub is seeing an uptick in its client numbers and significant growth of the businesses it supports.
The KFF Hub was created by the Fields Forward Society, which supports food and agricultural initiatives in the Creston Valley. One of 13 hubs that make up the BC Food Hub Network, the Creston Hub is one of the most diversified and has a strong manufacturing focus. From producers of unique juices and coffees to sausages, relishes and soups, the Hub helps new and established producers transition from start-up to launch of their products in retail settings.
The project began with a market survey analysis to identify future needs, equipment requirements and other supports local agriculture producers are exploring. Community workshops were also held which connected experienced farmers and Hub staff with new business entrepreneurs to gain insight on developing their businesses.
Tanya Wall, Executive Director of Fields Forward, points out that navigating the hurdles of a product launch is a major challenge for many Hub clients. “We were addressing this to a very limited extent but there was demand in our community to do more,” she says.
By late 2024, the Hub facilitated $274,000 in new investment into the local economy through the launch of four new businesses: a food truck operator, a sausage producer, and two catering companies. In addition, one business sold part of its operation to another business, a second company added an on-site processing facility to its operation, and yet another made the transition from Farmers Market vendor to being a food truck operator. Twenty-three jobs were created or maintained locally including seasonal and full-time positions.
The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) has supported several food hub projects and provided grant funding for the Kootenay Farms Food Hub to increase capacity and reach its full potential. The funding supported the addition of three specialized contractors to the food hub team: Kathy Etheridge, Operations Manager; Kristen Mitchell, Media and Marketing Coordinator, and graphic designer Jewelson Fernades, all from Creston. The Creston Valley Food Action Coalition and Fields Forward also contributed financially to the project.
Navigating Permits and Licensing
“Helping Hub clients work their way through permits and licensing was a major part of the work,” says Wall. “These areas involve many detailed tasks that can be frustrating and end up neglected.” The Hub assisted 16 new businesses in navigating legal permits and licensing, and another six were supported from the start of permitting until they were fully operational.
A new cooperative supply ordering system is providing efficiencies and cost savings through greater volume purchases and better pricing opportunities. New shared marketing and sales initiatives are helping Hub clients increase their sales. “With increased revenues and lower supply costs, businesses can invest more in their own growth,” Wall points out.
Stephen Aryan, Co-founder of Pippin Point, producer of juices, ciders, wines and mixed drinks for restaurants and export markets, considers the Kootenay Farm Food Hub invaluable to his company.
“Having shared access to the kind of equipment and space provided by the Food Hub has allowed us to rapidly scale our company and trial new business models, products and processes in a manner that would otherwise be cost and time prohibitive,” says Aryan. “During the six months since we officially started our business and became a tenant of the Hub, Pippin Point has processed over 82,OOO litres of juice for seven primary production farms, welcomed two new full-time employees, and generated nearly $110,000 in revenue.
“With the support of ETSI-BC, we’ve achieved our target of a 40% increase in the number of Hub clients while contributing to economic growth in our region,” says Wall. “And once again, we have a wait list for services.”
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
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