From Numbers to Insight to Action

September 21, 2023

Data is a vital tool to help make better decisions for economic developers, organizations, communities, and regions. It allows for evidence-based decision-making about important issues such as: where to put time and effort, how best to support current and new projects or businesses, and which projects are the most important at any given time. Good data helps measure the impact of these decisions over time too.

ETSI-BC understands the importance of data in telling the stories of our region, and is committed to supporting individuals, organizations and communities to use data to their advantage.

Regional Data Platform

The ETSI-BC regional data platform helps tell those stories by providing a regional context in terms of data on population size, labour force, industry sectors and business counts that can be used to complement community-level data and provide context. This platform can also be used to support funding applications (i.e. growing population may justify a new need), to provide relevant data to attract developers (i.e. seniors housing) or to support private sector businesses seeking a new location with specific demographics.

Supporting the Region’s Data Appetite

During the 2020 ETSI-BC consultations with stakeholders, the need for help accessing and using data was identified. To help the practitioners throughout the Southern Interior access and utilize data more effectively, ETSI-BC also commissioned two data webinar training series in 2022 and 2023.

Both webinar series were developed and delivered by Community Futures East Kootenay with a focus on supporting smaller and rural communities. In total, more than 500 participants from all corners of the Southern Interior took advantage of the 10+ sessions of training, which was a resounding success.

“The goal is to turn data into information, and information into insight.” ~ Carly Fiorina, former CEO of HP

Outcomes of Using Data to your Advantage Webinars

The first webinar series was hosted in early 2022, facilitated by the knowledgeable CED Coordinator af CFEK, Robyn Peel. The webinars provided a strong introduction to the concepts, a helpful resource document for anyone to use, and featured numerous experts from around the region.

Finding data can be a challenge for smaller communities, so guest speaker Jayme Jones from the State of the Basin spoke about the data that is available and how to use it. Participants then learned from Dr Sarah Breen from Selkirk College about how to look to fill data gaps through primary research tools such as surveys and interviews as well as looking for proxy data. Mike Stolte of the CIEL ensured everyone knew how best to tell their story with the data they had.

Data 201 Topics and Insights

In Spring 2023, the second webinar series brought together a community of practice by highlighting examples from around the Southern Interior. Participants learned how data could help drive economic and tourism strategies. Communities such as Salmon Arm, Grand Forks, Hope and Creston shared how they are using data to support planning and decision-making for housing and labour market needs, disaster planning and recovery and how they are accessing data to measure economic and event impact. Recordings of these inspiring presentations can be found on the ETSI-BC website.

“This entire series is helping me develop my new role further and building a strong foundation for upcoming and future projects.”
~ Data series participant

Next Steps

The feedback from the two series has been incredibly positive, with more than 90% of participants rating each session at least an 8/10, and almost half of those rating the sessions with a 10/10. High praise for a topic some would consider a bit dry!

As a result, ETSI-BC has again engaged Community Futures East Kootenay and the intrepid Robyn Peel, their CED Coordinator, to roll out the introductory training session again in early 2024. This new and improved series will allow even more individuals and organizations across the region to use data to their advantage, and connect with a community of others who value data-driven decision-making and storytelling. These linkages with other practitioners are vital to strengthening the fabric of collaboration in the BC Southern Interior, and helping all our region’s communities succeed.

More information about the 2024 Data Series will be shared in December 2023. Make sure to sign up to be part of this growing community of practice!

More News & Stories

Peachland Pursues Downtown Revitalization to Keep Pace with Growth

After years of record development and building activity, the Okanagan community of Peachland is nearing completion of a Downtown Redevelopment Implementation Strategy. The plan, to be completed this fall, will reinvigorate the downtown area, preserving what residents value most while optimizing available land for its highest and best use. The project is supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).

Golden Harnesses the Economic Impact of Mountain Biking

Residents and visitors to Golden know that the Kootenay town has some of the best mountain biking anywhere, from adrenaline-pumping descents to adaptive cycling and family-friendly rides. More than 180 kms of cross-country riding trails are enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the Golden Cycling Club in conducting an economic impact study that reveals significant opportunities to grow the sector and add to the area’s tourism assets.

Proposed North Okanagan Community Health Clinic To Address Critical Physician Shortage

An estimated 25,000 people in the North Okanagan are without a Primary Care Physician. To address this challenge, Community Futures North Okanagan took the lead on developing a business case for a Community Health Clinic to attract physicians. The grassroots, community-run project is expected to connect over 6,000 residents with a family doctor, while providing important economic benefits to the region. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the business plan through its Building Economic Development Capacity funding stream.

Ramping Up the Kootenay Film Industry

Film producers have been coming to the Kootenays for years to capture the area’s diverse natural beauty and rural culture as the backdrop for productions. To fully harness the economic opportunities associated with a robust filming environment, Community Futures Central Kootenay (CFCK) conducted a feasibility study to explore the challenges and opportunities around growing the sector. The project, supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) shows that with the right infrastructure in place, including a local film studio, significantly more filming can be attracted to the region.

Expanding Tourism Options in the Columbia Valley

During the pandemic, the Lakeshore Resort and Campground in the Columbia Valley, which is owned by the Akisqnuk First Nation (AFN), had to close. Since then, a plan was needed to return this important tourism asset for the region and make it a stronger, more sustainable business and tourism contributor. In 2023, the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported a feasibility study to explore the best way to do this. The study led to a partial opening of the campsite in 2024, and economic benefits are already being realized through infrastructure improvements, new services, and exciting cultural experiences.

ETSI-BC Releases its 2024 Annual Report

July 31, 2024 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is pleased to announce that it has released its latest Annual Report.

Collaboration Thrives Through Economic Development Practitioners Network

Over the last twelve years, the Kootenay Boundary Economic Development Practitioners Network (EDPN) has made a name for itself as a unique grassroots organization bringing together key stakeholders across the Columbia Basin/Boundary region. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), it has been another year of growth and expansion for this active and engaged network of professionals.

Thompson Nicola Film Commission Captures New Landscapes and Film Productions

The stunning and diverse landscapes of the Thompson Nicola Valley are the backdrop for the area’s growing film production industry, resulting in millions of dollars invested in the region through new filming activity. Current, high-quality images are essential to attracting productions to the area, but many location landscapes have changed in recent years due to fires, flooding, ageing and development. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported an update to the Thompson-Nichola Film Commission’s photo libraries, which boasts over 7,000 new images.

Artisan Beverage Producers Explore Job Sharing to Address Workforce Shortages

Workforce shortages are one of the top issues for wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries in the artisan beverage industry. The Business Alliance for Artisan Fermenters and Distillers has taken an innovative approach to address the issue through a feasibility study exploring job sharing among these agri-businesses. The study, supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), has opened minds to a unique approach and identified new opportunities for a more resilient, sustainable artisan beverage sector.

Revitalizing the Events Sector in the Creston Valley and Kootenay Lake

Tourism, including community events, is a major economic generator In the Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake area of the Kootenays, but the events sector has been slower to recover in the post-COVID era. With the support of an Event Coordinator, the industry has been reinvigorated and a new long-term events strategy created to ensure it remains strong and bring economic benefits to the area. This role was supported with a grant from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).