This season, communities in BC’s Southern Interior have a reason to celebrate. On December 6, 2024, the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) approved $804,230 in funding to support 26 innovative projects worth $2.4M that will help grow and diversify the economy of the Southern Interior of BC. The Fall 2024 Funding Intake demonstrates ETSI-BC’s continued commitment to working with First Nations, local communities and business support organizations to strengthen the region’s economic landscape.
Through strategic partnerships with local governments, First Nations, and non-profit business support organizations, these initiatives will create a positive change throughout the region. This latest round of funding brings the total investment since re-launching as ETSI-BC in 2021 to more than $9.5 million, supporting 347 economic development projects valued at more than $21 million.
“The response to our fall funding intake was inspiring,” says Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC. “Our grant team carefully evaluated each proposal to maximize impact across our region’s communities. These approved projects are projected to create or preserve over 1,700 jobs.”
The impact of ETSI-BC funding can be felt across the BC Southern Interior. Projects approved in this Funding Intake are being undertaken in two First Nations and eight Regional Districts in the Southern Interior, including the Thompson-Nicola, North Okanagan, Okanagan Similkameen, Central Okanagan, Fraser Valley, Central Kootenay, East Kootenay, and the Columbia Shuswap.
“These investments represent more than just funding—they represent our commitment to the future of the Southern Interior,” says Paul Donald, ETSI-BC Board Chair. “Each project we support strengthens our communities’ economic foundations, drives innovation, and helps advance key sectors that are vital to our region’s prosperity.”
Looking ahead, CEO Laurel Douglas emphasizes the potential of these investments: “From community-led initiatives to sector-specific innovations, we’re witnessing the positive ripple effects of these projects across the Southern Interior. We look forward to seeing how each of these initiatives will contribute to building a more resilient and dynamic regional economy.”
Here is the list of approved projects from the ETSI-BC Fall 2024 Funding Intake:
|
Organization |
Project Name |
Approved |
Project Value |
|
?aq’am Community Enterprises Ltd. |
ʔaq̓am Forestry Business Development Scan |
$50,000 |
$136,000 |
|
Barriere & Area Chamber of Commerce |
Wayfinding Strategy Plan |
$25,000 |
$52,500 |
|
Boundary Country Regional Chamber |
Discover Grand Forks 2.0: Rebuilding Our Foundation for Tourism Growth |
$20,000 |
$22,000 |
|
Castlegar and District Chamber of Commerce |
Castlegar and District Thrive: Attraction Strategy for Residents, Entrepreneurs, and Developers |
$50,000 |
$105,450 |
|
Community Connections Southeast BC |
Cranbrook Alternative Food Distribution Pilot |
$45,000 |
$266,000 |
|
Community Futures Central Kootenay |
Connecting Local Youth with Local Jobs |
$25,000 |
$50,000 |
|
Community Futures Central Okanagan |
Sustainable Development Leadership |
$30,000 |
$60,000 |
|
District of Sicamous Development Corporation |
Tourism Economic Impact Study & 5yr Tourism Strategic Development Plan & Product Analysis |
$29,000 |
$60,750 |
|
Enderby & District Chamber of Commerce |
Enderby Chamber Business Engagement |
$20,000 |
$21,000 |
|
Fields Forward Society |
Feeding Futures – Service, Procurement and Distribution |
$45,000 |
$149,500 |
|
Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association |
Regional Tourism Experience Development Programming & Implementation |
$32,630 |
$58,630 |
|
Lumby & District Chamber of Commerce |
Lumby & District Community Profile & Investment Platform |
$20,000 |
$30,000 |
|
Nakusp and Area Development Board |
Nakusp Community Hub |
$50,000 |
$520,000 |
|
Nicola Valley Fall Fair Association |
Facility Enhancement and Marketing |
$20,000 |
$24,130 |
|
Oliver and District Heritage Society |
Fairview Interpretation |
$20,000 |
$73,521 |
|
Penticton and Area Cooperative Enterprises |
Inclusive Employment Development Program |
$20,000 |
$52,000 |
|
Regional District East Kootenay |
Phase II: Community Energy Facility Planning in Invermere & Radium |
$35,000 |
$165,000 |
|
Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce |
Revelstoke Business Retention & Expansion Report |
$34,600 |
$72,600 |
|
Salmon Arm Economic Development Society |
Zest Commercial Food Hub Phase 3: Program Development |
$50,000 |
$118,934 |
|
Sc.wén̓wen Economic Development Corp |
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Area Signage Plan |
$20,000 |
$28,500 |
|
Shuswap & North OK Chamber Consortium – c/o Sicamous Chamber of Commerce |
Gateway to the Shuswap and the Thomson Okanagan, Business retention and expansion project with a focus on tourism” |
$20,000 |
$20,000 |
|
Silver Star Resort Association |
Workforce Partnership Initiative |
$8,000 |
$25,100 |
|
South Kootenay Lake Community Services |
South Kootenay Lake Geothermal Economic Model |
$20,000 |
$47,500 |
|
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association |
Boundary Country Tourism Investment Attraction |
$15,000 |
$25,000 |
|
Tourism Sun Peaks |
Central Reservations and Visitor Data Analytics Project |
$50,000 |
$100,000 |
|
Tri Region Consortium – c/o Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce |
Southern Interior Regional Economic Summit 2 |
$50,000 |
$110,000 |
|
|
TOTALS |
$804,230 |
$2,394,115 |