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.
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 |
More News & Stories
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.
ETSI-BC Spring Funding Intake Invests Over $1 Million to Strengthen the Southern Interior Economy
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
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
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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.