Building Economic Development Capacity

In this funding stream, we focus on supporting smaller/rural communities to build economic development capacity and support regional partnerships in economic development throughout the Southern Interior. We hope to serve as a catalyst for new economic development initiatives, and we know that sometimes a community needs a first-in funder to seed projects and encourage other funders. Our goal is to:

• Enhance the capacity of southern interior communities to fulfill their economic development aspirations and knowledge. 
• Support local and regional economic development projects within the Southern Interior.
• Facilitate strategic partnerships and encourage collaboration between communities and economic development agencies. 

Our Funding Intakes will generally be of three main types:

Small Scale project applicants may be eligible to receive up to $15,000 to a maximum of 100% of the project budget.  Large Scale project applicants may be eligible to receive up to $50,000 to a maximum of 50% of the project budget.  Collaborative project applicants may be eligible to receive up to $50,000 to a maximum of 60% of the project budget. 

Eligible Applicants for funding include: 

• Local governments (municipalities and regional districts) and their associated economic development organizations
• Indigenous communities and their associated economic development organizations
• Non-Profit Business Support organizations serving the region, such as:
  • Other Economic Development organizations
  • Industry Associations
  • Accelerators and Cooperative Groups 

Depending on the Intake, projects eligible for funding may include:

• Economic development planning, feasibility assessments, research, grant writing support to access funding sources which leverage ETSI-BC funding by a factor of 10
• Business retention and expansion initiatives
• Business engagement initiatives
• Developing Business diversification and investment-ready strategies
• Key Industry sector analysis/development
• Community economic revitalization 
• Collaborative regional planning and/or business/investment attraction projects
• Cost-sharing of economic development interns to help implement new projects

From time to time, ETSI-BC will support other Economic Development initiatives. Click HERE to see examples of other supported activities.

The funding intake for this program is open April 1 – May 1.  Click on the following links to learn more.

• Application Guide.
• Info Session Presentation (pdf)