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.
Thompson-Okanagan Team Takes to the World Stage to Address Workforce Shortages
To address the lack of skilled workers in the Thompson-Okanagan, three of the region’s key economic development groups came together as a delegation to Emigration Expo 2023 in Houten, Netherlands. Their mission was two-fold: to showcase the Thompson-Okanagan as a desirable place to find work in Canada, and to give employers a helping hand with international recruitment.
The Regional Workforce Development project is a collaborative initiative between Venture Kamloops, the Salmon Arm Economic Development Society (SAEDS), and the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC). The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the project through its Building Economic Development Capacity funding stream.
“Our employers need to be competitive and use new methods and talent pools to find the people they need to grow,” explains Nicole Bruce, Economic Development Manager for Venture Kamloops. “International recruitment is a key tool for Canadian companies to fill skilled talent roles.”
Approximately 12,000 visitors attend the Houten expo every year seeking information on living, working, studying and entrepreneurship opportunities in other countries. Data shows that for those who successfully emigrate to Canada, the majority stay in major metropolitan cities. Marketing the entire Thompson-Okanagan region at the expo connected these workers with communities and employers they may not have explored otherwise.”
Seamless Navigation of immigration Programs
“We spoke to approx. 800 people and administered brochures, QR codes and provided a Thompson Okanagan presentation to over 100 people, says Bruce. “The challenge to know how far reaching this information goes in helping people make decision like a visit, finding jobs in our region and then relocating is difficult to measure. Often, they will connect directly with employers through job postings attached to the QR code we administer, and we will never know about it.”
“Our regional delegation had far more impact than one community alone could have at an event of this scope,” says Bruce. The team shared a sizeable booth near others staffed by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP). The delegation included Nicole Kleemaier of Red Moose Immigration Services who provided translation, planning, and on-site support to the team.
“Many employers lack the time and understanding to navigate the immigration programs that best fit their needs,” says Bruce. “Being close to the BCPNP and IRCC meant job seekers could talk with us about the region and jobs, then step over to the other booths for information on how to go about the immigration process.”
When the delegation returned to Canada, the Thompson-Okanagan webpage created specifically for the show received 272 visits with 40 serious prospects uploading their information. Eight prospects eventually spoke to employers, and two travelled to Kamloops to interview and see the region. These are just some examples of the outcomes of this collaboration.
Bruce added, “We do know our efforts are paying off because a couple who visited our booth at the emigration expo followed up with a trip to the region and recently, we helped them find employment. Now they are moving to Kamloops with job offers from employers in their field of expertise! They have actively applied through the proper immigration pathway to move to Kamloops permanently and are expected to arrive in the early summer.”
Team Approach to Future Emigration Fairs
Venture Kamloops continues to work with the SAEDS, COEDC and the BCPNP on attending future expos as a group. The Vernon Economic Development Association has now also joined the collaboration. A 2024-25 work strategy is in development with a more sector-specific approach to recruitment and additional marketing materials are being created. “No matter which cities participate with us, we can represent the region as a whole,” says Bruce.
“Talent attraction is a long game,” she adds. “With the support of ETSI-BC, we now have a model to keep the Thompson-Okanagan top of mind with skilled workers wanting to settle in Canada.”
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.