?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).
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
More News & Stories
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
Helping Shape the Future of ETSI-BC Support in the Southern Interior
May 11, 2026 – 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.
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.
2026 ETSI-BC Legislative Review
March 30, 2026 – We are pleased to present the findings and recommendations of the 2026 ETSI-BC Legislative Review Committee. The Committee reviewed the Act that governs ETSI-BC and the proposed changes that the Province has put forward this year. A Legislative Review is conducted every 5 years by an independent committee. This year in particular, their report has several important recommendations of relevance to First Nations and local governments in the Southern Interior, and to the Province.