Behind many successful entrepreneurs in the Southern Interior region are post-secondary institutions that provide entrepreneurial training. A powerful example is the Kootenay Entrepreneurship Program (KEP), which is the result of a unique partnership between Selkirk College, College of the Rockies and the Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST). These organizations decided to work together to broaden entrepreneurial skills development for youth, students and recent graduates in the Kootenay region. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the highly collaborative project is inspiring new products, businesses, services and jobs within the region.

As increasing electricity costs and regulatory restrictions encourage the transition to solar energy, the Okanagan Circular Society (OCS) is demonstrating an innovative approach to community solar adoption. A feasibility study by the OCS confirmed the economic benefits of moving to community-powered solar in the region and it has created a scalable framework for implementing solar that builds community wealth and well-being. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the 2024 study.

The Castlegar Chamber of Commerce needed a new economic development tool that would help the organization better support the community’s existing businesses and support its capacity to grow. The unique customer relationship management system (CRM), developed by the Castlegar Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the BC Economic Development Association (BCEDA), has enabled key information to be gathered and analysed, as part of the Chamber’s Business Retention and Attraction Strategy, which was supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).

After more than a decade helping entrepreneurs start up and grow, the Kamloops Innovation business accelerator has a new name, brand and communications plan to help broaden its reach throughout the Thompson, Nicola and Cariboo regions. Its new brand as the Central Interior Business Accelerator (CIBA) demonstrates its commitment to its entire region to help build entrepreneurial capacity and pave the way for more small and medium-sized businesses to adopt technology, increase productivity and efficiency, and retain and create jobs. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) provided funding for this re-branding and strategic communications project.

Read more about Robyn Cyr and the Thompson-Okanagan EDPN.

The Town of Oliver is advancing its downtown revitalization efforts with an updated Station Street Plaza Plan. The project aims to transform underutilized land into a mixed-use area with housing and businesses. This initiative, part of a broader economic development strategy, seeks to create a vibrant community hub and attract new residents and businesses to the town center. The project was supported during FY2024 with funding from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).

From its beginnings as a mining town in the early 1970s on the eastern edge of the Kootenays, Elkford is now home to diverse businesses, adventure tourism and a high quality of life. To manage the area’s growth and to develop emerging sectors, the District of Elkford recently created an Economic Development Strategy that builds on years of community planning and research. The ambitious project, carried out with support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), is already having positive impacts and will serve the community for years to come.

The Economic Trust of Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is delighted to announce the nine successful grant recipients that will receive funding in 2024 through our funding partnership with Mitacs. These grants support collaborative research initiatives that help solve local issues while also encouraging collaboration between the region’s public post-secondary institutions and our businesses and local governments.

With a new economic development structure and brand, the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc (formerly the Kamloops Indian Band) is changing the economic landscape of its 1,700-member community. An outcome from the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc (TteS) strategic plan is the creation of Sc.wén̓wen Economic Development Corporation, which increases the band’s capacity to pursue and support more diverse, larger scale projects. This increased capacity is being marketed through a new branding campaign, created with support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).

After years of record development and building activity, the Okanagan community of Peachland is nearing completion of a Downtown Redevelopment Implementation Strategy. The plan, to be completed this fall, will reinvigorate the downtown area, preserving what residents value most while optimizing available land for its highest and best use. The project is supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).