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.
Thriving Kootenay Outdoor Gear Manufacturers Drive Supply Chain Solution
Four spectacular mountain ranges – the western Rockies, Purcells, Selkirks and eastern Monashees – help create the iconic outdoor playground that draws serious adventure sports enthusiasts from around the world to the Kootenay region of British Columbia. The area is a mecca for skiing, snowboarding, cycling, fishing, climbing, hiking and more. All that adventure requires specialized clothing and equipment. As a result, dozens of craft outdoor gear makers have formed a growing industry cluster producing everything from technical clothing, ultralight backpacks and tents to climbing gear and fishing lures. This rapidly evolving cluster was the inspiration for the formation of the industry group, Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Society (KORE), in 2020.
Founded by several outdoor enthusiasts from the Kimberley area, KORE supports its 50 members with education, collaboration and connections while working to incubate more start-ups and attract businesses to the Kootenays. ETSI-BC provided funding to hire two economic recovery advisors in 2021 as part of the Rural Business and Community Recovery Program (RBCR), which it delivers with funding from the Province of BC. An additional ETSI-BC grant of $15,000 was provided to conduct a feasibility study on the potential and benefits of locating a specialized manufacturer in the region.
Supply Chain Challenges Provide Opportunity
Talking to KORE co-founder and Executive Director, Kevin Pennock, it`s obvious the Kootenay craft gear industry is as bold and driven as any extreme mountain skier. The KORE website declares, Kootenay craft gear makers are not afraid. This is a good thing, given the disruption to supply chain activity due to the COVID pandemic which has seriously impacted local outdoor gear manufacturers who rely on supplies from outside the region. Traditional delivery times for supplies of a few weeks have morphed into months and some companies have a wait list of customers they cannot serve.
One of those affected is Durston Gear in Golden, maker of one of the best-selling ultralight backpacking tents in the world. The company is developing a new ultralight tent that uses a high-tech material called Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF). DCF, made in the USA, is half the weight of nylon and polyester commonly used to make tents. Instead of traditional sewing, DCF requires a hot bonding manufacturing process and the primary factory that does this is in China. For Durston Gear, delivery time for the DCF fabric from China has gone from two to 24 months. Most leading tent makers use the Asian factory.
In early 2021, KORE successfully applied to ETSI-BC to fund a feasibility study to determine if such a manufacturing facility could be set up in North America, specifically in the Kootenays. The Society`s business case identified a wide scope of potential economic benefits including investment in technology in the region, increased revenue for local companies, jobs and customers created and retained, contribution to municipal taxes, real estate purchases and leasing, and recognition as an industry cluster of outdoor product manufacturing.
Feasibility Study Leads the Way
Paul Wiest, Business and Economic Development Consultant for ETSI-BC, worked with KORE on the funding process. We could see the (KORE) team knew the craft gear industry inside and out – the potential to grow it and how that could happen. They also realized the value of doing formal research to validate their concept, says Wiest.
Feasibility studies often unearth information and opportunities not even contemplated at the start of the research. Krista Humphrey, co-partner at Wewerke Design which is conducting the study for completion in early 2022. Clearly, there would be significant cost savings in shipping and production costs with access to a local facility that has the specialized technology and capacity our regional outdoor gear producers need. As we look at the technology requirements and equipment involved, such a facility would also meet the needs of many other types of manufacturers, says Humphrey.
With the KORE strength backed by support of ETSI-BC funding to advance key sectors in the region, We believe the Kootenays could be the Silicon Valley for outdoor gear manufacturing of the north, says Pennock. We are leading the way in the evolution of the craft gear industry, he continues. The outdoors is a way of life here and outdoor gear manufacturing industry is a catalyst for significant long-term economic growth in the Kootenays and beyond.
CFNO has created two videos to tell more stories about the RNIP program. Hear about the success of the program by clicking on the links to Interior Homecare Solutions and SilverStar Resort located in the North Okanagan.
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.