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.
Peachland Pursues Downtown Revitalization to Keep Pace with Growth
The charming community of Peachland, situated on a stunning stretch of waterfront on Okanagan Lake, has big plans for its future. The community has been growing rapidly and is focussed on major infrastructure improvements and a revitalization strategy for its downtown.
The project has completed two of four phases, bringing the community closer to having a new Downtown Redevelopment Implementation Strategy (DRIS) in place for the new year. The DRIS will outline the vision, goals and objectives for downtown Peachland and the regulatory framework essential to guide growth and development.
Joe Creron, Chief Administrative Officer for the District of Peachland says, “Although we continue to experience record development and building activity, most development has taken place outside of downtown and some key services have also relocated away from the area. Currently downtown is a mix of commercial and mainly single-family residential properties with under-utilized lots.”
The project is a long-awaited update to the District of Peachland’s Sustainable Downtown Plan adopted in 2010. It is based on extensive public consultation and analyses of population growth, trade areas, retail and housing demand, and recreational and educational opportunities. “The DRIS It will optimize available land for its highest and best use while considering what the community values most and the new economic reality,” adds Creron.
Ensuring a Realistic, Achievable Plan
The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the project through its Building Economic Development Capacity funding stream as a large-scale project that provides in-depth planning for a small community. The funding was used to create an Economic Land Use Analysis (ELUA) and a Retail Review for the community.
The ELUA, developed by Urban Systems, is a ‘how to’ document for updating regulations and taking actions to grow Peachland’s downtown. It includes financial analyses prepared for three sites using different development scenarios and identifies categories best suited to a downtown location.
The Retail Review provides an inventory of the space being used for retail purposes, 60 percent of which are located in downtown Peachland. It also includes an analysis of retail demand within 10 years, insight to the unique factors affecting retail demand, and potential solutions.
Community Task Force to Guide Council
A Downtown Revitalization Task Force was established by Peachland City Council in late 2023 to provide guidance to Council and staff during the creation of the DRIS. The Task Force, a short-term advisory group that includes volunteer business owners, landowners, Peachland residents, and representatives for recreation and culture, will draft the implementation strategy for Council’s consideration in Winter 2024.
Citizen surveys have consistently shown that Peachland residents prize their waterfront and want to build on the community’s interface with the water. A mix of small businesses and boutique shopping are desired to preserve the downtown’s character, as well as housing diversity, and the pedestrian friendly environment enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
“The economic benefits of downtown revitalization projects, such as this one in Peachland are wide-reaching,” says Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC. “While formalizing the vision of Peachland residents for a vibrant downtown, it will create more diversified commercial offerings, retain existing businesses and attract new ones, bringing new investment and economic opportunities to the community and the region.”
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.