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.
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.
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.