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.
Success Strategies Identified for New Denver Visitor Information Centre
Tucked away in the Slocan Valley of BC and close to world class outdoor amenities, the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) in New Denver has been a stopping point for thousands of visitors for the past ten years. Visitor traffic to the VIC is an important source of revenue for the Slocan Valley Chamber of Commerce (SVCC) but has declined significantly since the pandemic. By 2023, a more high-profile location was considered as a way to boost tourism traffic and address ageing infrastructure at the Silvery Slocan Museum where the VIC is located.
With funding support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior, the Chamber conducted a feasibility study to determine the financial impact of making such a move. ETSI-BC spoke with Jan McMurray, President of the SVCC about the value of the study.
What was the inspiration for this project?
Jan: The impact of COVID hit our visitor centre hard with a decline in tourism traffic of 46% between 2019 and 2023 as visitors turned to digital navigation for information. That was more than the 28.9% average decline for VIC’s across the province. Not only did this reduce merchandise sales at the VIC, we were also concerned about the longevity of our location in the Museum; space to move about was limited, it had only one washroom, limited accessibility and no heat in the winter.
We thought that a purpose-built building in a higher profile location would be the ideal solution, so when a property came up for sale that would be suitable once renovated, we initiated the study to determine if the concept was viable.
What did the work consist of?
The research, done by economic development consultant Mike Stolte, provided a detailed profile of the New Denver VIC compared to other VICs in the province. He looked at population trends, what attracts people to communities, traffic counts and other demographics, and costs that would be incurred through such a project. Other suggestions were generated through interviews with local businesses, elected officials and Chamber board members and staff such adding a book shop, an E-bike charging station, and meeting rooms and coworking space.
The location we had in mind was close to the junction of the two major highways serving the Slocan Valley, but we also looked at four other potential locations. Every detail was considered from the cost of each building, renovations, furnishings, maintenance and operating expenses – information we would never have had without this kind of research.
The conclusion was that all of the locations would require significant capital and a major increase in operating costs that were not sustainable for the VIC.
Was the study worthwhile even though it didn’t support your original goal?
Absolutely! The study drew our attention to the positives of the current location, which was still inexpensive compared to any of the options considered and is subsidized by the Village of New Denver.
The study also provided us with recommendations as to how to move forward. These included adding more signage to direct tourists to the VIC, making structural improvements to the heating system, and adding a second washroom and storage. Collaborating with Indigenous groups was emphasized to add visibility to Indigenous culture and history along with prioritizing local products for sale to increase revenue and financial stability. It also pointed out the value of working closely with the Village of New Denver, a key stakeholder in tourism development with links to funding resources. The Village also owns vacant lots and properties that the Chamber might consider for a VIC.
What’s Next for the Chamber and VIC?
Perhaps the most important outcome of this study was the recommendation to develop a strategic plan for a new VIC which identifies sources of income, project champions in the community as well as businesses and organizations that may want to co-locate with the VIC in the future.
With improved clarity of our goals and how to get there, we’re already implementing some of these suggestions, confident that the VIC will continue to serve our visitors while bringing resilience and growth to the Slocan Valley economy.
More News & Stories
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.
Stepping up the PACE of Inclusive Employment in Penticton
Creating flexible, part-time job opportunities for workers with barriers has been the driving force behind The Penticton & Area Cooperative Enterprise (PACE) for more than 20 years. Hundreds of employees have found sustainable jobs with local employers based on PACE’s job-sharing model to fill full-time positions.
With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), PACE has standardized and expanded its model to ensure more people can access paid work in the community and employers have access to labour market solutions, which are increasing economic growth in the Penticton area and beyond.
Columbia Valley on a Roll as Film Production Provides Region-Wide Benefits
With its spectacular landscapes and the small-town charm of communities like Radium, Invermere and Fairmont Hot Springs, the Columbia Valley in the East Kootenay region has been the backdrop of film productions for decades. In 2024, Columbia Valley Community Economic Development (CVCEDO) built on this momentum by hiring a Film Coordinator to ensure the Columbia Valley was the location of choice for two new productions and create a strategy for long-term growth of the film sector. The project was supported with a grant from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).