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
Data Diggers – a Community of Practice
Over the last couple years ETSI-BC has offered Using Data to your Advantage webinar series 3 times. These webinars helped equip smaller communities with tools and skills to use data more effectively in community and economic development.
ETSI-BC understands the importance of data in telling the stories of our region, and is committed to supporting individuals, organizations and communities to use data to their advantage. Starting April 24, 2024, we will be hosting a series of 4 sessions to connect, share and discuss with other people looking to use data to support evidence-based decision-making.
Data is really important for all economic development practitioners. Smaller rural communities often have extra challenges accessing and interpreting relevant community and economic development to support informed decision-making, strategic planning, and sustainable growth.
We invite you to join the Data Diggers Community of Practice! This is a group of practitioners who dig data, dig digging into data, and want to dig themselves out of data into knowledge and insights. Robyn Peel will host 4 Data Digger sessions between April and December 2024, in response to the need expressed by our webinar participants for:
- An ongoing “space for conversations, collaboration, and mentorship”
- A “continued opportunity for networking”
- More “presentations of applied examples of using data.”
You asked for a “…group where we can bring our data questions and someone will hold our hands as we navigate our own data journeys.” The Data Diggers Community of Practice will provide support, guidance and mentorship with and from other data-driven individuals.
WHEN
- April 24, 2024 10:00-11:30 am Pacific time
- June 26, 2024 10:00-11:30 am Pacific time
- September 18, 2024 10:00-11:30 am Pacific time
- December 4, 2024 10:00-11:30 am Pacific time
WHAT
These 1.5 hour community of practice sessions will feature short presentations followed by lots of time to connect, share and discuss with others who are using data to help make evidence-based decision making in their organization or community.
WHY
To be inspired, get input and feedback and to share your love for data and how you are using it in your community or organization. Because it’s great to have peers to learn from and support.
HOW
We know you dig data, so dig deep and become a Data Digger! Best of all, it’s free! Register for the series here.
More News & Stories
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.
Benefits of Social Enterprise Explored in the Boundary
Backed by ETSI-BC, the Trails to the Boundary Society (TTTBS) are helping nonprofits move beyond grants to build sustainable revenue.