Record-Breaking First Year as ETSI-BC

March 8, 2022

We are delighted to announce our first anniversary as ETSI-BC! We are very proud of our accomplishments since launching ETSI-BC on March 10, 2021. Here are some highlights. Since March 2021, we

funded 85 different projects that helped create or maintain 5,375 jobs in our region.
funded $3.1 million projects worth $8 million in the Southern Interior.
supported a record number of projects led by First Nations partners and including First Nations partners.
acted on our commitment to smaller communities by funding 40 projects in communities with less than 5,000 residents, and an additional 40 projects in communities with 5,000-25,000 residents.
supported 36 Economic Recovery Advisors with training, networking, and resources in communities with less than 25,000 residents.
provided the business support organizations & economic development practitioners in our region with 21 training events, hosting a total of 577 attendees and
launched a new economic development data portal for all practitioners in the region to use, found at https://our-region.etsi-bc.ca/ .

“These achievements are nothing short of remarkable,” notes ETSI-BC Board Chair, Chris Pieper. “The Board of ETSI-BC is so proud of what has been accomplished since we re-branded last year. Kudos to the entire team who helped make that happen.”

In 2021, ETSI-BC also introduced its new Strategic Pillars and shifted its focus to supporting economic development practitioners, local communities and First Nations, non-profit business support organizations and accelerators, industry groups and post-secondary institutions in the Southern Interior.

“The team at ETSI-BC is committed to adding value to the economic development ecosystem in our region. These highlights are important, but even more important to us are the great working relationships we have built over the past year with our partners and funding applicants. Together, we are helping create stronger communities and a stronger economy across the Southern Interior.” reflected Laurel Douglas, CEO.

Click here to view our First Anniversary Infographic.

Comments from some partners and funding recipients:

“ETSI-BC is associated with such a diverse and passionate group of people. The collective IQ is outstanding and each individual brings a wealth of knowledge and important contributions to carry out critical economic development work throughout the Southern Interior of BC.”
~ Julie Kimmel, Economic Recovery Advisor, Community Futures Thompson Country

“I just wanted to let you know how much I’m appreciating these webinars and how much work you’re putting into them. Excellent speakers and information. And I’m really happy that you broke it down over the weeks so that people can actually attend.”
~ Lisa Cannady, Program Manager, Imagine Kootenay

“This funding will provide us a real opportunity to engage with all of our businesses, to attract and retain members and to determine the best path forward as we work to reform the Chamber and to restart economic growth in our community. We will look forward to reporting our progress and for any advising that may be available as we work through this process.”
~ Nadia Berg, Administrator, Big White Chamber of Commerce

More News & Stories

Oliver’s Station Street Plaza Plan Drives Downtown Revitalization

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District of Elkford Puts New Economic Development Strategy into Action

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.

Mitacs Research Projects Receive Extra Support from ETSI-BC

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.

A New Independent Development Corporation Signals Major Growth for Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc

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).

Peachland Pursues Downtown Revitalization to Keep Pace with Growth

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).

Golden Harnesses the Economic Impact of Mountain Biking

Residents and visitors to Golden know that the Kootenay town has some of the best mountain biking anywhere, from adrenaline-pumping descents to adaptive cycling and family-friendly rides. More than 180 kms of cross-country riding trails are enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the Golden Cycling Club in conducting an economic impact study that reveals significant opportunities to grow the sector and add to the area’s tourism assets.

Proposed North Okanagan Community Health Clinic To Address Critical Physician Shortage

An estimated 25,000 people in the North Okanagan are without a Primary Care Physician. To address this challenge, Community Futures North Okanagan took the lead on developing a business case for a Community Health Clinic to attract physicians. The grassroots, community-run project is expected to connect over 6,000 residents with a family doctor, while providing important economic benefits to the region. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the business plan through its Building Economic Development Capacity funding stream.

Ramping Up the Kootenay Film Industry

Film producers have been coming to the Kootenays for years to capture the area’s diverse natural beauty and rural culture as the backdrop for productions. To fully harness the economic opportunities associated with a robust filming environment, Community Futures Central Kootenay (CFCK) conducted a feasibility study to explore the challenges and opportunities around growing the sector. The project, supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) shows that with the right infrastructure in place, including a local film studio, significantly more filming can be attracted to the region.

Expanding Tourism Options in the Columbia Valley

During the pandemic, the Lakeshore Resort and Campground in the Columbia Valley, which is owned by the Akisqnuk First Nation (AFN), had to close. Since then, a plan was needed to return this important tourism asset for the region and make it a stronger, more sustainable business and tourism contributor. In 2023, the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported a feasibility study to explore the best way to do this. The study led to a partial opening of the campsite in 2024, and economic benefits are already being realized through infrastructure improvements, new services, and exciting cultural experiences.

ETSI-BC Releases its 2024 Annual Report

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