KELOWNA, B.C. – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior of BC (ETSI-BC) is pleased to announce another successful Funding Intake. Of the 24 applications submitted, a total of $386,000 was awarded to 22 projects that will help build economic development capacity, innovate and advance key sectors in the region. Successful proponents include diverse groups including First Nations, municipalities, business improvement and tourism associations, business support and industry groups in the Southern Interior of BC.
“Our Regional Advisory Committees reviewed many excellent applications,” noted Laurel Douglas, CEO, ETSI-BC. “The approved projects showed ingenuity, collaboration, and innovation. We’re excited to support the successful project partners to move forward on their projects and we look forward to hearing of their successes in the coming year.”
The 22 projects cover a broad range of focus areas, including manufacturing, agri-food, tourism, inbound investment, tourism, business retention, expansion and incubation, planning and capacity building.
ETSI-BC Spring Funding Intake Approved Projects:
| Adams Lake Indian Band | Pespeséllkwe (Lakes) te Secwépemc Pictograph Protection Initiative |
| Boston Bar Indian Band | Boston Bar Fish Farm Pre-Feasibility Study |
| Chase, Village of | Business Area Improvement Plan |
| Clearwater, District of | Clearwater Economic Development through BRRE and Telling Our Story |
| Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce | Columbia Valley Events Growth, Preparedness & Strategy |
| Columbia Valley Community Foundation | Vital Signs 2022 |
| Community Futures Boundary Area | Grand Forks Sector Development Project |
| Community Futures Central Kootenay | Slocan Valley Economic Development Strategic Plan Update |
| Imagine Kootenay | Imagine Kootenay from Across Canada |
| Kootenay Employment Services Society | Event Coordinator Creston Valley – Kootenay Lake |
| Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Society | KORE Symposium – Advancing the Outdoor Rec-Tech Sector |
| Lower Nicola Indian Band | Business Incubator |
| Lower Similkameen Indian Band | Lower Similkameen Agriculture Plan 2022 |
| North Shore Business Improvement Area Assoc. | Membership Engagement and ROI Metrics Project |
| Okanagan Falls Community Association | Okanagan Falls Economic Growth Strategy |
| Princeton, Town of | Business Attraction and Incubator Project. |
| Salmon Arm Economic Development Society | Zest Commercial Food Hub Phase Two: Activation & Expansion |
| Similkameen Country Development Association | Similkameen Country Economic Development Grant Writer |
| Thompson Nicola Regional District | TNFC Film Locations New Landscapes |
| Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association | Sustainability Model for Tourism Development Initiatives |
| Tourism Sun Peaks | Sun Peaks Centre Awareness Campaign |
| Trail and District Chamber of Commerce | Lower Columbia Tourism Management Plan |
“The impact of ETSI-BC funding creates economic development capacity and advances key sectors throughout the Southern Interior of our province,” noted Douglas. “Projects approved in this intake will be led by people in four First Nations and eight of the nine Regional Districts in our service area.”
Also impressed with the high level of innovation and collaboration demonstrated in the project proposals is the new Board Chair of ETSI-BC, Terry Rysz, who is also Mayor of the District of Sicamous. He was elected chair of the ETSI-BC Board at its Annual Inaugural Meeting held in Revelstoke on June 24, 2022.
“My fellow Board members and Regional Advisory Committee members truly enjoy reviewing the proposals from across the Southern Interior,” remarked Rysz. “It’s exciting to see the ingenuity and collaborative spirit of the economic development practitioners in our region, and we hope that these projects will inspire others to build on these best practices in their communities.”