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.
Lands Feasibility Study Highlights Economic Opportunities at Kamloops Airport
From flight schools and private air services to hospitality, manufacturing and logistics companies, many types of businesses can benefit from being located near an airport while contributing to economic development in the region. Investment in airport infrastructure increases connections to international markets, attracts new businesses, and creates jobs.
In 2021, Venture Kamloops, the city’s economic development function, gained the support it needed to conduct a feasibility study as a tool for establishing Kamloops as a premier location for business development through expansion of its light industrial lands.
Opportunities for Business Attraction
In its most recent Strategic Plan, Venture Kamloops identified four sectors with the most potential for growing Kamloops’ economy: Construction, Accommodation, Retail, and Transportation and Warehousing. With the first three sectors already supported by Venture Kamloops initiatives, the feasibility study focussed on Transportation and Warehousing.
“There has been a big chunk of land sitting undeveloped at the airport,” says Jim Anderson, Venture Kamloops’ Executive Director. “We knew there were things that could be done to make infrastructure improvements, but it was time to take formal stock of all the elements to establish where we were, and where we could go logically – and logistically.”
Strategic Partnerships Key to Project’s Success
The Economic Trust of Southern BC (ETSI-BC) provided funding to conduct the study which fit with the Trust’s strategic pillars of Building Economic Development Capacity in Smaller/Rural Communities, and Innovating and Advancing Key Sectors. The Trust recognized the economic opportunities associated with bringing more transportation and warehousing businesses to Kamloops in the short and longer term.
The scope of the project meant extensive data needed to be collected and analyzed, requiring strong collaboration between the Airport, Venture Kamloops, and Vantage Airport Group which manages and operates the airport. The study was conducted by Kamloops-based Plan-It First Consulting, and WSP Engineering, an international consulting firm specializing in complex projects. Venture Kamloops also worked closely with the City of Kamloops to gain information on zoning, utilities, land use restrictions and other areas.
“The consultants described Kamloops’ airport lands as one of the most developable properties they have dealt with in recent years,” points out Anderson. “Projections showed the potential for approximately 40 new businesses to locate at the airport, and at least 100 new jobs created requiring workers with diverse skills, education and experience. It also identified specific infrastructure changes that could take place immediately including expansion of airside service businesses that front the runway apron.”
The recommendations in the report will be implemented in stages with the timing determined by the Kamloops Airport Authority Society.
“We feel this project is critical to future economic sustainability in the region,” says Anderson. “Our partners and stakeholders are already using the information to plan for more development at the airport in anticipation of an inventory of light industrial land becoming available.”
Adds Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC, “With the identification of potential cluster development and more robust connections, this project opens the door to a new direction for Kamloops Airport.”
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.