?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).
ETSI-BC Grant Fuels Entrepreneurship at Okanagan College
The nationally-acclaimed Enactus entrepreneurial development program at Okanagan College is about to scale up with a $25,000 grant from ETSI-BC. The new funding is the largest grant that EnactusOC has received since launching at Okanagan College in 2005. The funding will enable Enactus to expand some of its successful projects, start new projects, and improve its IT infrastructure, allowing it to better support students in developing entrepreneurial skills.
Enactus is the world`s largest post-secondary experiential learning platform, operating in academic institutions in 37 countries. Guided and supported by faculty members and business leaders, students volunteer to create and deliver social, economic and environmental projects that meet needs in their communities. This augments their classroom training with real-world business experience, blending community engagement with entrepreneurial action that can transform students` personal and professional lives.
Addressing Climate Change while Solving Food Insecurity
The new funding will help expand one of the EnactusOC flagship projects, the Unusually Good Food Co. The project addresses climate change and food insecurity by collecting apples that would otherwise go to waste and turning them into food products. In 2021, 25,000 lbs. of apples were turned into 900 boxes of fresh pressed cider and funds from juice sales used to produce dehydrated apple snacks which are distributed to schools and food banks. With this new funding, Unusually Good Food Co. will be able to increase production and enhance community education through field trips for school children to teach them about sustainable farming, food insecurity, and the value to contributing to one`s community.
Addressing Social Issues and Empowering Indigenous Youth
The ETSI-BC funding will also help Enactus expand and launch new initiatives such as Rising, a social enterprise that provides learning modules for teachers to educate youth about contemporary issues in society such as sustainable fashion, homelessness, and social media. Another new project involves a collaboration with the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society to empower Indigenous youth to channel their creativity while learning entrepreneurial skills.
Enactus will also use some of the ETSI-BC funding to invest in its IT infrastructure, enhancing their ability to host team-building and networking events, and increase access to business skills workshops.
Across Many Campuses
EnactusOC projects take place on Okanagan College campuses in Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton and Salmon Arm. The projects have demonstrated positive impacts in ten communities served by these campuses. In 2021, even during the pandemic, EnactusOC ran projects that directly addressed climate action, food insecurity, homelessness, and financial literacy, directly impacting 26,000 individuals. Students are involved at every stage of a project, from planning through implementation and tracking the impact and outcomes.
Larger Impacts
Given the region`s labour shortage, a significant benefit of the program is that many Enactus alumni remain in the community after their education, using their entrepreneurial skills to start and run businesses, serve as community leaders, create new jobs, and inspire others to engage in entrepreneurial pursuits.
“Our mission at ETSI-BC is to support economic development projects that will have long-lasting and measurable impacts,” says ETSI-BC CEO Laurel Douglas. “The work of Enactus strongly aligns with the ETSI-BC strategic pillars, and allows both organizations to increase our economic impact in the region.”
Danielle Walker, current president of EnactusOC, says this new funding will make a significant difference during a year when the organization has seen record interest from students. “Already in January of this year, we have 50 active volunteers – double the number we had this time last year – and it`s been driven by the pandemic,” says Walker. “There is a real desire to get back to connecting with people and making a difference.”
“We are excited to see how this grant helps EnactusOC grow, teaching more people entrepreneurship and community development skills while generating insights and learning for future projects,” says Douglas.
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.