Business Enhancement and Retention (BRE) activities are valuable economic development tools that helps identify and address local business trends and challenges. After years spent transitioning from a mining-based economy to a tourism destination, the Chamber of Commerce in the City of Kimberley recently conducted a BRE survey to guide and support local businesses in this time of exceptional growth and change. Funding for this BRE project was provided by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) through its Building Economic Development Capacity funding stream.

The face of tourism in the Creston Valley is changing significantly, and the Creston Valley Tourism Society (CVTS) is rolling out a new five-year strategic plan, to respond and take advantage of new opportunities. The area’s residents, local governments, First Nations and other tourism stakeholders are aligned in their efforts to build a more diverse and resilient tourism economy, guided by the strategies jointly developed in the plan. The new strategy also helped secure renewed funding for the CVTS through the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT). The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the project through its Building Economic Development Capacity funding stream.

In the rural Kootenay and Boundary regions, food distribution challenges include the distances between distribution points, lack of supply chain data, and limited collaboration among food industry stakeholders. A new innovative model for food distribution was launched by the Lower Columbia Community Development Team Society (LCCDTS) to address these issues, which developed the Grow and Connect customized software platform to coordinate regional shipping routes. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the project at various stages. The project is viewed as an important contributor to innovation in the region’s the agri-food sector.

The charming mountain town of Golden is rapidly approaching 5,000 residents, but a lack of available workers is challenging the momentum. The Kicking Horse Chamber of Commerce is addressing this issue by helping connect the town’s youth with local businesses to fill current and future vacancies once they graduate from high school. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the Workforce Innovation & Youth Mentorship Program promises to increase local employment, increase wages and help retain employees in the community.

Central Kootenay businesses are demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability by completing the BC Green Business certification program through Community Futures Central Kootenay (CFCK). The program provides an assessment, recommendations and certification, recognizing the role businesses play in achieving a more resilient economy. The project was supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) and has the potential to be replicated through Community Futures office in other parts of the province.

After a challenging few years for BC’s 7,000 meat producers and processors, the Small-Scale Meat Producers Association (SSMPA) is pursuing a number of initiatives to build a Butcher Hub Network in the Southern Interior. Important benefits are being realized through improved communication and collaboration between industry stakeholders while the SSMPA provides a strong voice around regulatory issues and helps businesses to scale up. The pilot project, supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), provides a model for additional hubs in communities across the province.

With food security increasingly top of mind, the Kootenay Farms Food Hub is playing an important role in the Creston Valley. After just a year in full operation, it already had a waiting list for its services – including access to commercial equipment/kitchen space and assistance with marketing and sales. Support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) enabled the Hub to increase its capacity by adding three specialized contractors to the food hub team. Multiple benefits are being realized as more food entrepreneurs navigate the journey from start-up to selling their products in the retail marketplace.

The Trail Skills Training Centre has long provided valuable supports to youth, families, low-income and other vulnerable community members to help them develop their skills and employability. With the goal of a larger, permanent location to enhance its services and programming, it purchased a 1930s era building which was structurally sound but needed significant upgrades. A major eco-renovation resulted in one of the most accessible, sustainable and energy efficient commercial buildings in Trail. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the Centre is telling its story through multi-purpose videos.

ETSI-BC is pleased to share an Economic Analysis of the BC Southern Interior, prepared by CIEL, the Centre for Innovative & Entrepreneurial Leadership. This report draws on the data used by ETSI-BC’s regional economic dependencies data tool, EDD, and supplemented by 2011 Census data, for context. The data analysed for this report is based on the 2021 Census, conducted in May 2021, during COVID. While the timing of that Census skewed some of the data, there are many conclusions from this analysis that are meaningful for the region today. The next Census in May 2026 should be revealing.

BCMeats has a long history of supporting the province’s meat industry (producers, processors, retailers, butcher shops and chefs) who collectively provide sustainable and safe meats for BC consumers. The association provides advocacy and professional development, as well as encouraging partnerships in the meat value chain. The issue of food security and rising consumer demand for local food is the inspiration behind a pilot project by BCMeats in the North Okanagan. The project will raise the profile of regional producers and processors, making it easier for consumers to source the products they want, and it aims to be a model for cluster development in other parts of the province. This project was funded by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), through its Innovating & Advancing Key Sectors funding stream.