An innovative program to help new and expanding businesses build sustainable business practices (SD) into their ventures has resulted in a model for long-term business growth and economic capacity building in the Okanagan. The Sustainable Business Development Leadership Program created by Community Futures Central Okanagan was supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC). It provides valuable insights into Sustainable Business Practices and the training serves as a model that could be shared with Community Futures clients in other regions.

Backed by ETSI-BC, the Trails to the Boundary Society (TTTBS) are helping nonprofits move beyond grants to build sustainable revenue.

With funding from ETSI-BC, a new feasibility study explored whether the New Denver Visitor Information Centre should relocate to boost traffic or improve its current space. The findings point to a clear strategy for revitalizing tourism in this scenic region.

TThe Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) first supported the Festival in 2021 to help showcase the area’s food, beverage and other agriculture producers to local businesses and consumers. In 2025, the Trust provided additional support that enabled specialized training and workshops to be added to this year’s festival agenda.

The first Southeastern BC Agriculture Forum, held in Creston in March 2025, brought farmers, policymakers, and community leaders together to tackle climate challenges and strengthen regional agriculture. Organized by Kootenay Employment Services with ETSI-BC support, the event focused on resilience, sustainability, and collaboration, setting the stage for ongoing partnerships and future forums.

Silver Star Resort has reimagined its conference centre with modern upgrades and dynamic spaces, creating a premier destination for meetings and events. This transformation positions the resort for year-round success and regional economic growth, thanks to the dedicated support and investment provided by ETSI-BC.

The West Kootenays is a vibrant rural area with plenty of opportunities for business, but workforce shortages have become a serious barrier business growth. An in-depth study done in 2024 showed 1,270 jobs needed to be filled annually due to vacancies and projected growth.
To address this need, the Lower Columbia Community Development Team Society, with support from Community Futures Central Kootenay created the first professional recruitment firm in the region. Funding support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) enabled local human resources consultant Mia Gardiner to create a business plan for the West Kootenay Recruitment Agency (WKRA) and lead its operation for a one-year pilot.

MICE refers to the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions industry which brings thousands of business professionals, industry experts, and organization representatives to Penticton every year. The value of the MICE sector inspired the Meet in Penticton Convention Bureau (MIP) to conduct a comprehensive study to determine the precise impacts of MICE business and how to attract more MICE visitors throughout the year.

In 2024, the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) launched a Community Revitalization project to encourage people to spend more time in the village centre and to attract more permanent residents.

Across the East Kootenay region of BC, a number of non-profit organizations are learning to think like entrepreneurs as they consider building social enterprises into their operations. Through a pilot project run by Community Futures East Kootenay (with funding from ETSI-BC), local non-profits are learning how social enterprises work and they are being encouraged and supported in creating business plans for their social enterprise ventures. The goal is to become more sustainable while achieving social impact goals.