?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 Funding Intake Invests Over $1 Million to Strengthen the Southern Interior Economy
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.
The Spring 2026 Funding Intake reflects ETSI-BC’s continued collaboration with First Nations, local governments, and business support organizations, all working together to build long-term economic strength across the region.
Since relaunching as ETSI-BC in 2021, the regional economic trust has invested $14.5 million in 507 economic development initiatives in the region, as of today. Our funding has helped bring in an additional $28.1 million in investments, for a total project value of $42.7 million, and helped create or maintain almost 27,000 jobs throughout the Southern Interior.
“This intake demonstrates the depth of economic leadership and collaboration we see across our region,” says Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC. “Communities came forward with thoughtful, practical projects that reflect local priorities. With the support of our Regional Advisory Committees, we approved initiatives that are expected to create or sustain 533 jobs and deliver lasting value in communities large and small.”
Projects approved through this funding span six First Nations communities and eight of the nine regional districts in our service area, including Thompson-Nicola, North Okanagan, Okanagan Similkameen, Central Okanagan, Central Kootenay, East Kootenay, Kootenay Boundary, and Columbia Shuswap.
ETSI-BC Board Chair Paul Donald emphasizes the broader impact of the investments. “Each funding decision is rooted in community need and regional opportunity,” he says. “By supporting projects that strengthen local capacity and encourage innovation, we are helping communities adapt, grow, and build resilient economies for the future.”
Looking ahead, Douglas says the momentum continues to build. “We are seeing how these investments translate into real outcomes across the Southern Interior,” she notes. “From community-led initiatives to sector-focused innovation, every project contributes to a more connected, competitive, and vibrant regional economy.”
|
Organization |
Project Name |
Approved |
Total Project Value |
|
Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce |
Downtown Armstrong Facade Improvement Program |
$25,000 |
$63,000 |
|
Armstrong, City of |
Wayfinding Signage Program Implementation |
$30,000 |
$113,000 |
|
Central Interior Business Accelerator Society |
Central Interior AI Adoption & Micro-Team Network |
$50,000 |
$101,000 |
|
Clearwater, District of |
Clearwater Economic Development Roadmap |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
|
Community Futures East Kootenay |
Growing the East Kootenay Community Finance Ecosystem |
$25,000 |
$37,000 |
|
Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce |
Creston Valley Co-Working Space |
$49,000 |
$501,220 |
|
Downtown Salmon Arm Business Improvement Association |
Reimagining Downtown: Vacant Space Activation Program |
$8,000 |
$16,000 |
|
Elkford, District of |
EVEI Strategic Plan and Sustainability Framework |
$11,000 |
$16,000 |
|
Kaslo and Area Chamber of Commerce |
Kaslo Year-Round Tourism Development Project |
$20,000 |
$25,000 |
|
Kimberley, City of |
Building Kimberley’s Capacity for Economic Development |
$25,000 |
$50,000 |
|
Kootenay Association for Science and Technology |
KAST Kootenay Innovation Summit Conference 2027 |
$50,000 |
$185,758 |
|
Ktunaxa Nation Council |
Mobile Biochar Production Unit Feasibility Study |
$45,000 |
$254,300 |
|
Lake Country, District of |
District of Lake Country Economic Development Strategy |
$30,000 |
$115,000 |
|
LocalMotive Farmers Network Cooperative |
LFN Cooperative Supply Chain & Operations Planning |
$40,000 |
$135,000 |
|
Lower Kootenay Band |
Yaqan Nuʔkiy Online Economic Development Platform |
$23,000 |
$23,978 |
|
Lumby & District Chamber of Commerce |
Business Facade Refresh |
$25,000 |
$47,500 |
|
Naramata Centre Society |
Feasibility Study for a Shared-Use Commercial Kitchen |
$12,000 |
$31,000 |
|
New Denver, Village of |
Downtown Revitalization Implementation Plan |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
|
North Shuswap Chamber of Commerce |
North Shuswap Destination Trail Framework |
$25,000 |
$39,000 |
|
Okanagan Film Commission |
Columbia Shuswap Film & Photo Inventory |
$40,000 |
$85,000 |
|
Peachland, District of |
District of Peachland Revitalization Tax Exemption Program |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
|
Penticton, City of |
Penticton Waterfront Tourism Enhancement Project – S.S. Naramata |
$50,000 |
$209,771 |
|
Princeton & District Chamber |
Princeton Business Attraction and Retention Strategy |
$25,000 |
$26,200 |
|
Salmon Arm Economic Development Society |
Kitchen Skills Program at Zest Commercial Food Hub |
$18,000 |
$37,730 |
|
Shuswap Band |
Parson School Adaptive Reuse Feasibility Study |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
|
Silver Star Resort Association |
Silver Star ExploreNorthOkanagan.com – eCommerce Platform |
$20,000 |
$48,034 |
|
Simpcw Resources LLP |
Spatial Fibre Supply Analysis |
$30,000 |
$60,000 |
|
Skeetchestn Indian Band |
Integrated Clean Energy Hub |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
|
Sparwood, District of |
Sparwood Industrial and Commercial Land Assessment |
$50,000 |
$78,900 |
|
Trail & District Chamber of Commerce |
Community Tourism Strategy Implementation – South Kootenay |
$20,000 |
$62,500 |
|
Upper Similkameen Indian Band |
Mascot Mine Aerial Tramway (Phase 3) |
$60,000 |
$198,441 |
|
West Kelowna Economic Development Corporation |
WKEDC Inaugural Strategic Plan |
$35,000 |
$75,000 |
|
Wildsight Society (Regional Branch) |
Community Forest Biochar & Youth Training Initiative |
$45,000 |
$296,734 |
|
|
TOTALS |
$1,011,000 |
$3,057,065 |
More News & Stories
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Strong Demand for ETSI-BC Spring Funding Intake
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Stepping up the PACE of Inclusive Employment in Penticton
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