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 2021 Funding Intake
May 28, 2021 | News
ETSI-BC is pleased to announce its Spring 2021 Funding Intake.
“This announcement shows our commitment to building economic development capacity as our top priority strategic pillar,” said Laurel Douglas, CEO, ETSI-BC. “Thanks to everyone who participated in the beta test. We got lots of positive feedback on the new portal, and will continue to upgrade our systems, processes, and communications so we can support the communities in the Southern Interior to recover and build their economies.”
In this funding intake, ETSI-BC will focus on both supporting smaller/rural communities and regional partnerships to build economic development capacity throughout the Southern Interior. The Spring 2021 Funding Intake is intended to help new economic development initiatives launch as sometimes a community needs a first-in funder to seed projects and encourage other funders.
The funding is the second intake of 2021 for ETSI-BC, which just recently approved and announced funding for $305,000 to nine recipients in the Southern Interior of BC, ranging from First Nations and municipalities to tourism associations and non-profits. The new tranche of funding, for a total of $400,000, will be distributed based on the quality of the funding applications received. ETSI-BC is accepting proposals starting now until June 18, 2021.
“In our Spring Funding Intake, not only are we looking for economic development projects that need first-in funding, but those that may need that last bit of funding to get a project over the finish line,” said Renata King, ETSI-BC Business & Economic Development Consultant for the Thompson, Nicola, Shuswap, Okanagan and Similkameen regions. “We want to support projects that support communities and have an economic impact.”
ETSI-BC is also looking for applicants to come from some of the province`s more rural and remote communities where this kind of economic development funding can make a big difference for the smaller communities.
“We would like to encourage smaller communities to submit their applications,” said Paul Wiest, ETSI-BC Business & Economic Development Consultant for the Columbia, Kootenay, Boundary regions, plus Hope and the Fraser Valley Regional District Electoral Areas A & B. “We know that many times communities with populations of 5,000 or less often struggle with the capacity to apply for funding. Our knowledgeable team is here to discuss potentially eligible projects, opportunities for collaboration, and to help those communities with the application process to make it easier.”
The Application Guide for this funding stream is now available on our website.
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
More News & Stories
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
Keremeos, one of the fastest growing rural communities in British Columbia, has evolved from its agricultural heritage to a business hub at the heart of the Similkameen region with a robust tourist sector and vast potential to develop new business opportunities. In 2024, the Similkameen Country Development Association initiated a comprehensive Economic Vitality Initiative to better address the pressing needs of local businesses. Collaboration by many stakeholders along with funding support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) drove the plan to completion, and the strategies it contains are now being implemented.
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.
Columbia Valley on a Roll as Film Production Provides Region-Wide Benefits
With its spectacular landscapes and the small-town charm of communities like Radium, Invermere and Fairmont Hot Springs, the Columbia Valley in the East Kootenay region has been the backdrop of film productions for decades. In 2024, Columbia Valley Community Economic Development (CVCEDO) built on this momentum by hiring a Film Coordinator to ensure the Columbia Valley was the location of choice for two new productions and create a strategy for long-term growth of the film sector. The project was supported with a grant from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).
CF Central Okanagan Leadership Program Teaches Businesses Sustainability Practices
An innovative program to help new and expanding businesses build sustainable business practices (SD) into their ventures has resulted in a model for long-term business growth and economic capacity building in the Okanagan. The Sustainable Business Development Leadership Program created by Community Futures Central Okanagan was supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC). It provides valuable insights into Sustainable Business Practices and the training serves as a model that could be shared with Community Futures clients in other regions.