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 Helps Build Economic Development Capacity in BC`s Southern Interior
May 20, 2021 | News
Nine recipients ranging from First Nations and municipalities to tourism associations and community-led societies throughout the Southern Interior of BC. have just been awarded a portion of $305,000 in funding for economic development projects from ETSI-BC – the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior. Funding ranged from $13K to the maximum of $50K. This tranche of funding was the first to be allocated as per ETSI-BC`s new Strategic Plan, which was launched on April 1, 2021.
“Our team and Board are delighted to share this news,” said Laurel Douglas, CEO, ETSI-BC. “Each project will contribute to our main Strategic Pillar, to build economic development capacity in our region. Approved projects are taking place in 7 of the 9 Regional Districts in the Southern Interior, including the Fraser Valley, Thompson-Nicola, Okanagan Similkameen, Central Okanagan, Central Kootenay, Kootenay Boundary, and the Columbia Shuswap.”
The 9 economic development projects cover a broad range including tourism and industrial development to value-added food processing and transportation development. The focus of this Funding Stream is to support smaller/rural communities to build economic development capacity and to support regional partnerships throughout the Southern Interior.
“ETSI-BC wants to serve as a catalyst for new economic development initiatives, knowing that sometimes a community needs a first-in funder to seed projects and encourage other funders,” said Douglas. “The outcomes from these nine projects will be as diverse as our region`s communities, but growing their local economy is a common goal for them all.”
ETSI-BC Building Economic Development Capacity Funding Stream approved projects:
City of Merritt – Industrial Park Development Plan
Town of Oliver – Downtown Beautification and Wayfinding Project
Boston Bar Indian Band – Fraser Canyon Tourism Signage Project
Boundary Community Ventures Association – Facilitating Meat Value-Added Production in the Boundary
Friends of Pulpit Rock Society – Whitewater Trails
Peachland Historic School – Accessible Plaza Society Historic School Plaza
Village of Salmo – Salmo Community Owned and Operated Bus Initiative (SCOOBI)
Tourism Golden Association – Tourism Golden 5-Year Strategic Planning
District of Lake Country – Scenic Sip Wine & Eats
On May 28, 2021, ETSI-BC will be opening its Spring Funding Intake which will be providing opportunities for First Nations, rural communities, and other non-profits to submit applications for economic development projects that build capacity within their communities. Application deadline will be June 18, 2021.
We’d love to hear from you!
201 – 460 Doyle Ave, Kelowna, BC V1Y 0C2
Phone: 236-420-3680 ext. 0
info@etsi-bc.ca
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