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
Funding of $431K Awarded by ETSI-BC to Support 21 Projects in the Southern Interior
KELOWNA, BC – Communities in the Southern Interior of BC have something to celebrate this summer. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) has just announced the successful applicants of its Spring Funding Intake, and awarded over $431,000 in funding to support 21 projects that will help build and diversify the region’s economy. Project partners include local governments, First Nations and non-profit organizations in BC’s Southern Interior.
“With this latest batch of approved projects, ETSI-BC continues to help grow local economies. Since re-launching as ETSI-BC, we have approved more than $5.2 million in grant funding in support of our Strategic Pillars. These projects have a total value of almost $14 million, and have helped create or maintain more than 20,000 jobs in the region,” notes Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC.
| ETSI-BC Spring Funding Intake Approvals by Region | ||
|---|---|---|
| Columbia-Kootenay | $229,550 | 53% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | $182,300 | 42% |
| Both Regions | $20,000 | 5% |
| $431,850 | 100% |
The impact of ETSI-BC funding can be felt in all corners of the BC Southern Interior. Projects approved in this Funding Intake are being undertaken in three First Nations and Regional Districts in the Southern Interior, including the Thompson-Nicola, Okanagan Similkameen, Central Okanagan, Central Kootenay, Kootenay Boundary, East Kootenay, and the Columbia Shuswap.
“On behalf of the ETSI-BC Board, I am delighted to share this news,” said Sharon Shepherd, ETSI-BC Board Chair. “These projects will help build economic development capacity in our communities, support innovation and help advance key sectors of our region’s economy.”
Laurel Douglas added, “We are so proud of the difference we are making all over the Southern Interior and look forward to seeing these exciting projects come to fruition.” Here is a list of projects approved in the ETSI-BC Spring Funding Intake:
| PROJECT PARTNER | PROJECT NAME | APPROVED |
|---|---|---|
| ?Akisq̓nuk First Nation | Tourism Amenity Needs Assessment | $15,000 |
| Barriere Chamber of Commerce | Destination Barriere: Live, Work & Play | $15,000 |
| Business Alliance for Artisan Fermenters and Distillers (Oliver) | Job Sharing Project for Artisan Beverage Producers | $20,000 |
| Community Futures Central Kootenay | Kootenay Regional Film Studio Feasibility Study | $35,000 |
| Community Futures East Kootenay | Social Enterprise & Entrepreneurial Support for Non-Profit Organizations | $15,000 |
| Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce | Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce Economic Revitalization Plan | $15,000 |
| District of Elkford | Elkford Economic Development Strategy | $15,000 |
| District of Peachland | Peachland Downtown Revitalization Implementation Strategy | $35,000 |
| District of Sicamous Development Corporation | Highlighting Sicamous: Investment & Community Profiles | $15,000 |
| Falkland Historical Society | Tourism Info Centre & Bistro | $22,300 |
| Fernie Chamber of Commerce | Economic Development Service – Elk Valley | $9,500 |
| Golden Community Economic Development Society | Commercial & Industrial Property Resource Project | $14,950 |
| Golden Cycling Club | Economic Impact Study 2023 | $10,100 |
| Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise Society (KORE) | #KootenayApproved | $35,000 |
| Lower Columbia Community Development Team Society | Incredible Farmers Market Expansion & Sustainability | $30,000 |
| Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation | West Kootenay Border Crossing Impact Assessment | $15,000 |
| Lower Nicola Indian Band | Aspen Solar & Storage Project | $35,000 |
| Osoyoos Indian Band | OIB Communications Strategy for Nk’Mip Forestry | $15,000 |
| Shuswap Economic Development Society | Scotch Creek Business Facade Pilot | $15,000 |
| Town of Oliver | Station Street Concept Plan Update | $15,000 |
| Village of Canal Flats | Columbia Valley Data Driven Economic Development Project | $35,000 |
For More Information, please contact:
Laurel Douglas, CEO | 236.420.3680 | laurel@etsi-bc.ca
About ETSI-BC
ETSI-BC, the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior, was created in 2006 with a $50 million endowment to assist in the growth and diversification of the economy of the Southern Interior of BC. The Trust is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors, receiving input from Regional Advisory Committees made up of elected officials from both the Thompson-Okanagan and Columbia-Kootenay regions. We add value to the economic development ecosystem and provide funding for projects in four key funding streams:
1) Building economic development capacity,
2) Supporting business resilience and growth,
3) Developing human capital and
4) Innovating and advancing key sectors.
For more information about ETSI-BC, visit the Our Story page on our website at www.etsi-bc.ca.
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