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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

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