A new 200-acre business park is taking shape in the District of Lake Country. The development will create space for new types of businesses, attract investment, support local jobs, and provide housing options close to where people work. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the project is helping one of BC’s fastest-growing communities prepare for the future.
Strategic Plan Guides Business and Economic Growth for Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc in Kamloops
The timing was right in 2022 for the Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc (TteS), to create a strategic plan for their Business and Economic Development Department. A new Chief and Council was elected in 2021 to lead the community over the next three years, a competent and motivated staff team was in place, and the appetite for reconciliation and collaboration with Indigenous people was strong.
TteS is a highly progressive community with nearly 1,500 members and 700 businesses on and off the reserve, 70 of which are owned by members. It has numerous residential, industrial, commercial, and agricultural business activities on 33,000 acres. The TteS business district functions economically as part of the City of Kamloops with a population of over 97,000 residents.
Over several decades, TteS has continued to strengthen its entrepreneurial endeavours as well as complete community infrastructure projects such as the water reservoir and water treatment plant, as it strives for economic sovereignty and maximizing its tax base. TteS’s Mt. Paul Industrial Park with 350 tenants, is one of the largest industrial parks in Canada.
“TteS has an effective team, a strong plan and the framework to work within, as well as implementation guidelines and clear goals,” said TteS Assistant Manager Danalee Baker.
With its mandate to support smaller communities and First Nations in the Southern Interior region, the Economic Trust of Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) provided grant funding towards the cost of hiring a local consulting firm to help create the plan.
Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir, states that, “receiving the one-time funding for the implementation of a strategic plan will align our TteS business arm with our political vision, upholding our self-determination that puts economic sovereignty and parity at the forefront.”
The 2022-2025 Strategic Plan identifies eight priorities including Communication and Engagement, Community Assets, Education, Environmental Stewardship, and Clean Energy and Infrastructure. More than $140 million in investment in the community is expected as a result of the plan, which will lead to significant opportunities for leasing and land development.
“The strategic planning process was extremely valuable,” says Baker. “It included two full-day staff sessions, a review of existing planning documents for the community, a survey of community members and a market analysis.”
In late 2022, TteS opened another majority-owned business, Tḱemlúps Transload, a lumber and construction reload facility located in the Mount Paul Industrial Park on the CN line. This joint venture project with Arrow Reload enabled TteS to capitalize on the highest and best use for a vacant property, one of the goals of the plan that is heading into Year 2.
“We realize this is a living document that will be reviewed and revised every 18 months as circumstances require,” says Baker. “We are confident that it is both ambitious and realistic to realize the goals and the desired future for the Membership and TteS as a whole.”
The community is excited to see Sweláps Market, a TteS-owned and operated grocery store, open in the fall of 2023 and this will be followed by a second TteS Petro Canada gas station to be completed in 2025. Eight TESLA supercharger stalls have recently opened at the current Petro Canada, a significant milestone in the Tḱemlúps Clean Energy and Emissions Plan. Many other land development and infrastructure projects are in the feasibility stage.
In addition, Tḱemlúps land is becoming more desirable and known for on-reserve activities, events, and businesses that have increased their profile provincially and nationally. Numerous organizations approach TteS monthly inquiring about leasing and business opportunities and TteS’ Economic and Business Development department looks forward to exploring these.
“Our TteS lands are a sought-after location. We have a responsibility to ensure that economic opportunities enhance sustainable growth which are guided by a development strategy and action plan that will bring value to the community for generations to come.,” says Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir.
More News & Stories
How One Region Overcame the Tourism Impacts of a 5-Month Ferry Strike
When the Central Kootenay communities of Balfour and the East Shore of Kootenay Lake were hit with a lengthy ferry strike in late 2024, economic development and tourism partners worked closely with businesses on both sides of Kootenay Lake to address the impacts of a significant loss of visitors to the area. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior, (ETSI-BC), the area’s Destination Marketing Organization, Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism (NKLT), quickly launched the “No Better Time, No Better Place” marketing campaign as soon as the strike ended, encouraging visitors to return to the communities most affected.
ETSI-BC in the Spotlight
October 14, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) ) was featured today in BC Business Magazine, alongside our fellow regional trusts, Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) and Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET).
ETSI-BC Fall Funding Intake Draws Impressive Regional Interest
October 8, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) received an impressive response to its 2026 Fall Funding Intake from communities and organizations across the region. The intake closed on October 8, 2026, with 43 applications requesting nearly $1.9 million in funding for projects with a combined project value of over $3.8 million.
Township of Spallumcheen Digs Deep in Planning New Agriculture Business Hub
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.
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.