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
Kimberley Chamber Bolsters Supports for Local Businesses
The Kimberley Chamber of Commerce has been a voice for local businesses for over 100 years. Originally a Board of Trade when mining was the lifeblood of the area’s economy, the community made a remarkable shift from being a mining town to becoming an attractive tourism destination after the Sullivan Mine closed in 2001. The area is known today for its incredible landscapes, world-class outdoor recreation and its cool, unpretentious vibe.
As part of this growth, the community of 8,500 people is home to an increasing number of entrepreneurs who need access to specific resources in their start-up years.
To determine how local businesses could be better supported, the Chamber conducted its first Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) survey in 2019. BRE activities are important economic development strategies that focus on supporting existing businesses by helping them overcome challenges and seize new opportunities.
By 2024, the business landscape in Kimberley changed significantly as a result of the pandemic and inflation, which inspired the most recent BRE research and activities. “We wanted to understand current economic conditions and challenges to inform timely changes at the municipal and organizational level,” said Andrew Wilson, General Manager, Kimberley Chamber.
“In the small rural communities of the Southern Interior, growth and diversification is essential to achieving strong and sustainable local economies,” says Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC. “BRE work provides insights that enable a community to grow their local economy based on strong collaboration between businesses, local government and support organizations.”
The Chamber worked with the City of Kimberley, Community Futures, College of the Rockies and Tourism Kimberley to deliver the survey. Financial support for the project was provided by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) through its Building Economic Development Capacity funding stream, with additional support from the Chamber and the City of Kimberley.
Business Surveys
The project took place over three phases starting with a BRE survey to 346 businesses, conducted mainly online. Sixty-five surveys were completed, providing details on the size and age of businesses, ownership demographics, property types, workforce composition, target markets, revenue trends, business satisfaction, and plans for expansion and development.
The survey results showed that businesses were looking for new ways to attract tourism visitors and ensure tourist experiences in the community were outstanding,” says Wilson. About 20% of respondents wanted more information about immigration programs. The pandemic brought a number of remote businesses to the area, creating the need for more flexible commercial and office space. A lack of affordable housing was also identified as a barrier to attracting much-needed talent to Kimberley.
Business Summit
The second phase of the BRE initiative included a Business Summit in March, 2024 to present survey results and provide a platform for local business leaders, owners and stakeholders to explore opportunities for investment and growth. Attended by more than 50 people, the event promoted networking and collaboration between local and regional organizations that provide business supports. Several speakers spoke on successful community economic development projects as well as tariffs and trade. One individual who attended the Summit began the process of establishing a business through the Provincial Nominee Program.
Responding to “Red Flag” Issues
The final phase of the BRE project was to address the needs identified through the survey, with a priority on addressing issues that could cause a business to relocate or close. Highlights of the survey are available through the Chamber’s updated website along with a newly-created job board and commercial space board.
The BRE project injected $30,000 into the local economy in the form of direct spending with local companies including web designers, consultants, retail and food suppliers. “The survey process has helped to reposition the Kimberley Chamber as a strong anchor association for local businesses,” says Wilson. “Ideally, we will undertake this type of project every two years to remain proactive and action-oriented in this time of exceptional growth
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