?aq’am Community Enterprises (ACE) is the economic development arm of the ?aq’am First Nation, the largest member of Ktunaxa Nation. Known for its progressive business development goals, ACE undertook a comprehensive review of its strategic priorities. The result is a dynamic new five-year strategic plan that will guide more efficient, tactical, and resilient delivery of ACE’s programs and services. The project was supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).
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
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