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.
ETSI-BC Announces Successful Applicants from its Spring Funding Intake
KELOWNA, B.C. – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior of BC (ETSI-BC) is pleased to announce another successful Funding Intake. Of the 24 applications submitted, a total of $386,000 was awarded to 22 projects that will help build economic development capacity, innovate and advance key sectors in the region. Successful proponents include diverse groups including First Nations, municipalities, business improvement and tourism associations, business support and industry groups in the Southern Interior of BC.
“Our Regional Advisory Committees reviewed many excellent applications,” noted Laurel Douglas, CEO, ETSI-BC. “The approved projects showed ingenuity, collaboration, and innovation. We’re excited to support the successful project partners to move forward on their projects and we look forward to hearing of their successes in the coming year.”
The 22 projects cover a broad range of focus areas, including manufacturing, agri-food, tourism, inbound investment, tourism, business retention, expansion and incubation, planning and capacity building.
ETSI-BC Spring Funding Intake Approved Projects:
| Adams Lake Indian Band | Pespeséllkwe (Lakes) te Secwépemc Pictograph Protection Initiative |
| Boston Bar Indian Band | Boston Bar Fish Farm Pre-Feasibility Study |
| Chase, Village of | Business Area Improvement Plan |
| Clearwater, District of | Clearwater Economic Development through BRRE and Telling Our Story |
| Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce | Columbia Valley Events Growth, Preparedness & Strategy |
| Columbia Valley Community Foundation | Vital Signs 2022 |
| Community Futures Boundary Area | Grand Forks Sector Development Project |
| Community Futures Central Kootenay | Slocan Valley Economic Development Strategic Plan Update |
| Imagine Kootenay | Imagine Kootenay from Across Canada |
| Kootenay Employment Services Society | Event Coordinator Creston Valley – Kootenay Lake |
| Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Society | KORE Symposium – Advancing the Outdoor Rec-Tech Sector |
| Lower Nicola Indian Band | Business Incubator |
| Lower Similkameen Indian Band | Lower Similkameen Agriculture Plan 2022 |
| North Shore Business Improvement Area Assoc. | Membership Engagement and ROI Metrics Project |
| Okanagan Falls Community Association | Okanagan Falls Economic Growth Strategy |
| Princeton, Town of | Business Attraction and Incubator Project. |
| Salmon Arm Economic Development Society | Zest Commercial Food Hub Phase Two: Activation & Expansion |
| Similkameen Country Development Association | Similkameen Country Economic Development Grant Writer |
| Thompson Nicola Regional District | TNFC Film Locations New Landscapes |
| Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association | Sustainability Model for Tourism Development Initiatives |
| Tourism Sun Peaks | Sun Peaks Centre Awareness Campaign |
| Trail and District Chamber of Commerce | Lower Columbia Tourism Management Plan |
“The impact of ETSI-BC funding creates economic development capacity and advances key sectors throughout the Southern Interior of our province,” noted Douglas. “Projects approved in this intake will be led by people in four First Nations and eight of the nine Regional Districts in our service area.”
Also impressed with the high level of innovation and collaboration demonstrated in the project proposals is the new Board Chair of ETSI-BC, Terry Rysz, who is also Mayor of the District of Sicamous. He was elected chair of the ETSI-BC Board at its Annual Inaugural Meeting held in Revelstoke on June 24, 2022.
“My fellow Board members and Regional Advisory Committee members truly enjoy reviewing the proposals from across the Southern Interior,” remarked Rysz. “It’s exciting to see the ingenuity and collaborative spirit of the economic development practitioners in our region, and we hope that these projects will inspire others to build on these best practices in their communities.”
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.