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.
Helping Shape the Future of ETSI-BC Support in the Southern Interior
ETSI-BC is inviting partners from across the Southern Interior to participate in a series of virtual focus groups as part of an Impact Assessment that will inform its next three-year Strategic Plan, covering the period from April 1, 2027 to March 31, 2030.
In 2026, ETSI-BC marks its 20th anniversary. This milestone has prompted a comprehensive review of what is working well, where gaps remain, and how the organization can best respond to the region’s evolving economic development needs and priorities. These focus groups are a key part of that process.
Who the Focus Groups Are For
Separate focus group sessions are being held for key partner groups across the region:
Economic Development Practitioners
Monday, June 1
10:00 am to 11:30 am Pacific Time CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Post-Secondary Institutions and Accelerators
Tuesday, June 2
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm Pacific Time CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Local Government and First Nations
Monday, June 8
11:00 am to 12:30 pm Pacific Time CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Non-Profit Business Support Organizations and Industry Groups
Tuesday, June 9
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm Pacific Time CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Each session is designed as an open, facilitated conversation that encourages candid discussion about regional challenges, opportunities, and priorities.
What Participants Can Expect
Across all sessions, discussions will explore topics such as:
- Current economic development challenges and opportunities in the Southern Interior
- Experiences with ETSI-BC programs, funding, and partnerships
- Gaps in regional economic development support
- Opportunities for stronger collaboration and greater regional impact
- How ETSI-BC can position itself as a catalyst over the next three years
Feedback will be aggregated and reported by theme. Individual comments will not be attributed.
About the Process
The focus groups are being facilitated by KMH Strategy, a division of The EQ Development Group, with Karen Bowen leading the sessions.
Insights gathered through these discussions will directly inform ETSI-BC’s strategic direction and help ensure future work reflects the real needs and experiences of communities, businesses, and institutions across the Southern Interior.
Organizations invited to participate are encouraged to share their on-the-ground experience and perspective. Your input will play a critical role in shaping a strategic plan that is practical, responsive, and regionally relevant.
How to Participate
Select the focus group session above that best fits your organization and register using the corresponding email link.
For questions, please contact:
Mary Beadman
Program Administrator, ETSI-BC
mary@etsi-bc.ca
More News & Stories
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.
ETSI-BC Spring Funding Intake Invests Over $1 Million to Strengthen the Southern Interior Economy
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
Similkameen Economic Vitality Plan Drives Growth and Resilience
Keremeos, one of the fastest growing rural communities in British Columbia, has evolved from its agricultural heritage to a business hub at the heart of the Similkameen region with a robust tourist sector and vast potential to develop new business opportunities. In 2024, the Similkameen Country Development Association initiated a comprehensive Economic Vitality Initiative to better address the pressing needs of local businesses. Collaboration by many stakeholders along with funding support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) drove the plan to completion, and the strategies it contains are now being implemented.
Ktunaxa Business Showcase Links Indigenous Businesses to Procurement Opportunities
The Ktunaxa Business Showcase, led by the Ktunaxa Nation Council (KNC), is expanding, improving and helping members secure new business contracts in southeastern BC. The success of the most recent 2025 Showcase event reflects strategic changes to the program’s timeline and format, and was supported by funding from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).
Strong Demand for ETSI-BC Spring Funding Intake
April 15, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) closed its 2026 Spring Funding Intake, with a strong response from communities and organizations across the region. The intake closed on April 9, 2026, with 48 applications requesting nearly $1.7 million in funding, representing a combined project value of almost $4 million.