?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).
Record-Breaking First Year as ETSI-BC
We are delighted to announce our first anniversary as ETSI-BC! We are very proud of our accomplishments since launching ETSI-BC on March 10, 2021. Here are some highlights. Since March 2021, we
- funded 85 different projects that helped create or maintain 5,375 jobs in our region.
- funded $3.1 million projects worth $8 million in the Southern Interior.
- supported a record number of projects led by First Nations partners and including First Nations partners.
- acted on our commitment to smaller communities by funding 40 projects in communities with less than 5,000 residents, and an additional 40 projects in communities with 5,000-25,000 residents.
- supported 36 Economic Recovery Advisors with training, networking, and resources in communities with less than 25,000 residents.
- provided the business support organizations & economic development practitioners in our region with 21 training events, hosting a total of 577 attendees and
- launched a new economic development data portal for all practitioners in the region to use, found at https://our-region.etsi-bc.ca/ .
“These achievements are nothing short of remarkable,” notes ETSI-BC Board Chair, Chris Pieper. “The Board of ETSI-BC is so proud of what has been accomplished since we re-branded last year. Kudos to the entire team who helped make that happen.”
In 2021, ETSI-BC also introduced its new Strategic Pillars and shifted its focus to supporting economic development practitioners, local communities and First Nations, non-profit business support organizations and accelerators, industry groups and post-secondary institutions in the Southern Interior.
“The team at ETSI-BC is committed to adding value to the economic development ecosystem in our region. These highlights are important, but even more important to us are the great working relationships we have built over the past year with our partners and funding applicants. Together, we are helping create stronger communities and a stronger economy across the Southern Interior.” reflected Laurel Douglas, CEO.
Comments from some partners and funding recipients:
“ETSI-BC is associated with such a diverse and passionate group of people. The collective IQ is outstanding and each individual brings a wealth of knowledge and important contributions to carry out critical economic development work throughout the Southern Interior of BC.”
~ Julie Kimmel, Economic Recovery Advisor, Community Futures Thompson Country
“I just wanted to let you know how much I’m appreciating these webinars and how much work you’re putting into them. Excellent speakers and information. And I’m really happy that you broke it down over the weeks so that people can actually attend.”
~ Lisa Cannady, Program Manager, Imagine Kootenay
“This funding will provide us a real opportunity to engage with all of our businesses, to attract and retain members and to determine the best path forward as we work to reform the Chamber and to restart economic growth in our community. We will look forward to reporting our progress and for any advising that may be available as we work through this process.”
~ Nadia Berg, Administrator, Big White Chamber of Commerce
More News & Stories
Thompson-Okanagan Launches New Economic Development Practitioners Network
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.
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
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.