ETSI-BC Invests $1 Million in 28 Projects to Boost Southern Interior Economy

ETSI-BC Invests $1 Million in 28 Projects to Boost Southern Interior Economy

June 10, 2025

Communities across the BC Southern Interior are gearing up for growth thanks to a new round of funding from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC). On June 6, 2025, ETSI-BC approved $1 million to support 28 projects, representing a combined project value of $2.8 million. These initiatives are set to help diversify the region’s economy and support local innovation.

The Spring 2025 Funding Intake highlights ETSI-BC’s ongoing partnerships with First Nations, local governments, and business support organizations to help strengthen the economic fabric of our beautiful region.

Since its relaunch as ETSI-BC in 2021, the regional economic trust has invested more than $10.8 million in the region, backing 412 economic development projects, that have brought nearly $26 million total investment to the region.

“Our Spring intake drew a strong response from communities across the region,” says Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC. “We appreciate the important role of our two Regional Advisory Committees in the assessment process. The approved projects are expected to create or sustain almost 800 jobs in our region’s communities.”

This round of funding will support projects spanning three First Nations communities and nine regional districts, including Thompson-Nicola, North Okanagan, Okanagan Similkameen, Central Okanagan, Fraser Valley, Central Kootenay, East Kootenay, Kootenay Boundary, and Columbia Shuswap.

These investments are about more than just dollars—they’re about building a stronger future for the Southern Interior,” says Paul Donald, ETSI-BC Board Chair. “Every project we support helps communities build economic resilience, foster innovation, and develop sectors that matter most to our region.”

Looking ahead, Douglas is optimistic about what’s to come: “We’re seeing the benefits of these projects ripple across the Southern Interior. Whether it’s a community-driven initiative or a new approach in a key sector, each project is a step toward a more thriving and dynamic regional economy.”

Here is the list of approved projects from the ETSI-BC FY2026 Spring Funding Intake:

Organization	Project Name	Approved	Total Project Value
Boston Bar Indian Band	Boston Bar FN Forij Forest Farms Feasibility Study	$40,000	$100,000
Central Interior Business Accelerator Society	Regional Innovation Hub: Expanding Technology, IP and Supply Chain Integrations	$50,000	$100,000
Central Kootenay Food Policy Council Society	Kootenay-Boundary Food Products Aggregation Pilot	$50,000	$140,000
Chase, Village of	Marketing Initiative for Business Attraction	$25,000	$30,000
Chawathil First Nation	Concept Plan and Economic Infrastructure Review for Hope IR#1	$50,000	$150,000
City of Greenwood	Greenwood Tourism Strategy Implementation Capacity	$25,000	$35,000
Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce	Co-Working Space Pilot Project	$25,000	$45,610
Community Futures Boundary	Boundary Economic Development Coalition	$25,000	$25,000
Community Futures North Okanagan	Rail Trail Readiness Program – North Okanagan/Shuswap	$23,000	$40,500
Community Futures Shuswap	Feasibility study for a Community Farm Cooperative	$20,000	$46,700
Community Futures South Kootenay	Imagine Kootenay: Regional Expansion	$45,500	$76,000
Creston, Town of	Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake Economic Action Partnership Governance Structure and Strategic Plan Update	$35,000	$99,500
Destination Osoyoos Development Society	South Okanagan Farm Trail Plan	$45,000	$75,000
District of Lake Country	Lake Country Business Park Area Structure Plan	$55,000	$460,000
Fernie Chamber of Commerce	Fernie Downtown Business Working Group	$25,000	$27,000
Fernie, City of	Elk Valley Gap Analysis	$19,750	$23,750
Golden Community Economic Development Society	Golden Area Investment Attraction Package	$25,000	$25,000
Kimberley Trails Society	Economic Impact Report & Future Opportunities of Kimberley Trails and Trail Initiatives	$27,750	$57,750
Kootenay Climbing Association	Cube 2.0: Regional Fund Development and Capital Investment Strategy	$50,000	$575,000
Ktunaxa Nation Council	Ktunaxa Business Showcase 2025	$42,000	$81,900
Lower Nicola Indian Band	Micro Algae Cultivation – Feasibility Study	$35,000	$100,000
Lumby, Village of	Lumby Industrial Park Marketing Plan	$25,000	$27,000
Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism	No Better Time No Better Place – An area A, Balfour and surround marketing initiative	$24,000	$34,792
Regional District of Central Okanagan	Okanagan Manufacturers’ Alliance	$60,000	$107,500
Revelstoke, City of	RADAR – Rural Analysis for Diversification and Resiliency	$40,000	$105,000
Summerland Bottleneck Drive Winery Association	Summerland Wayfinding Project	$63,000	$147,240
Thompson Nicola Regional District	Community Grant Writer Pilot	$25,000	$35,000
ʔaq̓am Community Enterprises	ACE Comprehensive 5 year strategic & financial plan	$25,000	$28,000
	TOTALS	$1,000,000	$2,798,242

More News & Stories

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Skills Centre Renovation Promotes Environmental Sustainability

The Trail Skills Training Centre has long provided valuable supports to youth, families, low-income and other vulnerable community members to help them develop their skills and employability. With the goal of a larger, permanent location to enhance its services and programming, it purchased a 1930s era building which was structurally sound but needed significant upgrades. A major eco-renovation resulted in one of the most accessible, sustainable and energy efficient commercial buildings in Trail. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the Centre is telling its story through multi-purpose videos.

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Spring 2025 Funding Intake Closes with 44 Applications Received

April 15, 2025 – ETSI-BC is pleased to share that we received 44 applications as part of our Spring Funding Intake that closed on April 11, 2025, with a total funding request of over $1.6 million for projects worth over $3.6 million.

Building the Meat Cluster in the North Okanagan

BCMeats has a long history of supporting the province’s meat industry (producers, processors, retailers, butcher shops and chefs) who collectively provide sustainable and safe meats for BC consumers. The association provides advocacy and professional development, as well as encouraging partnerships in the meat value chain. The issue of food security and rising consumer demand for local food is the inspiration behind a pilot project by BCMeats in the North Okanagan. The project will raise the profile of regional producers and processors, making it easier for consumers to source the products they want, and it aims to be a model for cluster development in other parts of the province. This project was funded by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), through its Innovating & Advancing Key Sectors funding stream.

ETSI-BC Announces Major Increase in Funding Levels for 2025

March 14, 2025 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is pleased to announce that its Board has approved new grant allocation levels for its Spring and Fall Funding Intakes, effective immediately.

Marketing “Kootenay Approved” Outdoor Recreational Gear to the World

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Kamloops Food Hub Creates a Stir with Regional Supply Chain Initiative

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