A new 200-acre business park is taking shape in the District of Lake Country. The development will create space for new types of businesses, attract investment, support local jobs, and provide housing options close to where people work. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the project is helping one of BC’s fastest-growing communities prepare for the future.
ETSI-BC Invests $1 Million in 28 Projects to Boost Southern Interior Economy
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 |
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