?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).
Collaboration Thrives Through Economic Development Practitioners Network
A successful economic development initiative reflects the skills and insights of the people behind it. In the Columbia Basin/Boundary region, the Economic Development Practitioners Network (EDPN) exists to improve the effectiveness of its members including community economic development professionals, and individuals holding a primary economic development role within municipalities, First Nations, Chambers of Commerce, Community Futures and Trusts.
By connecting economic development practitioners with specialized consultants and thought leaders, the EDPN promotes collaboration between communities on projects, and facilitates sharing of wise practices. Members also come together to strategize on timely community issues such as housing, agriculture, and transportation of goods.
The Columbia Basin Trust was the initial funder of the important work of the EDPN. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) has now joined in, supporting the EDPN for multiple years. Its most recent funding was used to expand infrastructure and member services.
Asset Map Creates a Resource of Specialized Skills
Tammy Verigin-Burk, current Chair of the EDPN and Manager of the Castlegar and District Chamber of Commerce, says, “Overwhelming requests to join the EDPN prompted a review of membership criteria to ensure we are providing services directly to those who need them.”
One of the greatest member benefits is its Economic Development Asset Map, a data-driven, interactive inventory system that provides information about economic development practitioners in the EDPN network and within the Kootenay/Boundary region.
“From entrepreneurs to developers and municipalities, we are contacted by a wide range of people looking for specialized talent to complete their economic development projects,” says Verigin-Burk. “The knowledge and skill sets within our diverse membership provides an incredible resource accessible through the asset map.”
In 2023, a direct portal to the map was added to the EDPN website so that once logged in, members seeking a consultant with specific experience can quickly locate candidates by category (Professionals, Consultants, Destination Marketing Organizations, Education, Indigenous and Business Recovery specialists) in different parts of the region.
Members can independently update their professional information, and a placeholder has been added to identify the best model for sharing wise practices. “We want the practices we post to be Kootenay/Boundary specific without duplicating information provided by other economic development organizations. This work is ongoing as we look for the best model,” says Verigin-Burk.
Having demonstrated the value of the asset map, the EDPN is now in discussion with the economic development community in the Thompson Okanagan region to expand the tool. Other collaborative projects with the Thompson Okanagan are being explored as well, which may include an annual or semi-annual professional development summit/conference.
Member Events Promote Synergy and Solutions
In addition to regular ‘lunch and learns’ calls, EDPN members come together in person once a year to discuss community highlights and initiatives at its annual Dialogue gathering. Christina Allen was contracted in 2023 to coordinate this work. The Dialogue held in October 2023 was attended by 26 members and followed by online collaboration calls on Homelessness, Mental Health, and Addiction, Creating Capacity for Childcare, and Innovative Housing Initiatives. A collaborative call on Building Economic Development Synergies in Food Hubs is the next call planned.
Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC, has often described the Kootenay Boundary EDPN as best practice and an illustration of the high degree of collaboration that exists in this corner of the province. “We’re delighted to support this unique network of practitioners as they work together to help solve some of the key economic development challenges facing our region today. Their model of shared leadership and ground-up priority-setting is an inspiring example of community economic development in action.”
More News & Stories
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.
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.