Since 2021, the Township of Spallumcheen has been exploring the development of a regional Agri-Hub to strengthen local food distribution and support agricultural growth. With support from ETSI-BC, the Township is developing a phased business plan to help build a resilient and profitable agricultural sector for the future.
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
New Tourism Strategy Transforms Grand Forks from a Highway Stop to a Destination
The Southern Interior community of Grand Forks has completed a major rebuild and relaunch of its original tourism strategy, shifting the community from being a quick stopping point on Highway 3 to a tourism destination. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the strategy served to develop new tourism assets attracting more visitors and generating increased revenue for local businesses.
Sicamous Tourism Strategy Builds a Path for Sustainable Growth
From houseboating to sledding, hiking, biking, and birding, Sicamous is the tourism hub of the Shuswap region. While summer visitors fill Sicamous with activity, off-season visitations drop sharply, prompting the community to pursue a more diversified and sustainable year-round tourism future. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the District of Sicamous Development Corporation in revitalizing the community’s tourism sector with a dynamic, five-year tourism strategy to 2030.
Forestry Strategy Positions ?aq’am First Nation for New Opportunities
Increased timber harvest allocations for BC’s First Nations are opening the door to new business opportunities for enterprising First Nations communities such as ?aq’am in the East Kootenays. With funding support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), ?aq’am developed a forestry business scan, a strategy to build capacity for projects made possible by the expanded forest tenure. The scan is guiding ?aq’am to increase its role in forestry as it pursues a resilient and sustainable future.
ETSI-BC Welcomes Krista Mallory as Regional Project and Strategic Initiatives Manager
July 29, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC)) is pleased to announce that Krista Mallory will be joining the organization as its new Regional Project and Strategic Initiatives Manager effective October 1, 2026.
Wayfinding in Barriere for Economic Resilience and Growth
When a major fire destroyed the Tolko sawmill in the North Thompson region near Barriere in 2003, residents and stakeholders rallied to rebuild and redefine the community’s economic future. As the community has evolved, so have the systems that help residents and visitors navigate in and around Barriere, including a multi-phase Wayfinding Strategy launched in 2024. The project, supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is aimed at boosting visitor traffic and attracting more business investment, ensuring a strong and resilient future.
Five-Year Plan Strengthens ?aq’am Community Enterprises
?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).
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.