Over the last twelve years, the Kootenay Boundary Economic Development Practitioners Network (EDPN) has made a name for itself as a unique grassroots organization bringing together key stakeholders across the Columbia Basin/Boundary region. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), it has been another year of growth and expansion for this active and engaged network of professionals.

The stunning and diverse landscapes of the Thompson Nicola Valley are the backdrop for the area’s growing film production industry, resulting in millions of dollars invested in the region through new filming activity. Current, high-quality images are essential to attracting productions to the area, but many location landscapes have changed in recent years due to fires, flooding, ageing and development. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported an update to the Thompson-Nichola Film Commission’s photo libraries, which boasts over 7,000 new images.

Workforce shortages are one of the top issues for wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries in the artisan beverage industry. The Business Alliance for Artisan Fermenters and Distillers has taken an innovative approach to address the issue through a feasibility study exploring job sharing among these agri-businesses. The study, supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), has opened minds to a unique approach and identified new opportunities for a more resilient, sustainable artisan beverage sector.

Tourism, including community events, is a major economic generator In the Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake area of the Kootenays, but the events sector has been slower to recover in the post-COVID era. With the support of an Event Coordinator, the industry has been reinvigorated and a new long-term events strategy created to ensure it remains strong and bring economic benefits to the area. This role was supported with a grant from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).

The Columbia Valley, known for its stunning landscapes and welcoming communities, thrives on tourism, with key attractions like Radium Hot Springs, Panorama, and Invermere. The Columbia Valley Tourism Marketing Society (CVTMS) was established to unify tourism marketing and manage the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT), a crucial funding source for local programs and events. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), a cohesive marketing strategy was developed, leading to the launch of the Travel Columbia Valley website and enhanced collaboration among businesses. This unified approach has sparked economic growth and new ventures like Radium Brewing, bolstering year-round tourism and regional development.

An innovative tourism development project with a buy-local component is providing economic benefits in the Greater Trail area of the South Kootenay region. Diverse stakeholders came together to create the “Beyond the River” campaign which promotes the area’s world-class sport fishing opportunities to attract more visitors throughout the year. Supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the highly collaborative project is increasing tourism capacity, and provides a foundation to support future projects that will help grow the local economy.

The Thompson-Okanagan region is a well-known Canadian tourist destination, it is not immune to the shortage of skilled workers experienced in many Canadian communities. International recruitment is considered a key tool for addressing worker shortages in the area. With the support of the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), three major economic development organizations collaborated to market the region at the world’s largest emigration event in Houten, Netherlands in 2023. The initiative has led to an ongoing strategy to attract new talent and help the region grow and thrive.

Kamloops’ North Shore Business Improvement Association (NSBIA) has grown significantly since its inception, but after almost three decades, it was time to validate its strategic direction and value proposition to members and stakeholders. With the support of the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the NSBIA conducted a Membership Engagement and Return on Investment Project in 2022 which confirmed its good work and where the organization goes next.

It’s been three years since the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) and Mitacs launched their research funding partnership serving the Southern Interior of BC, and they are excited to share some key outcomes and reflect on future opportunities.

Visitors to Hope are discovering that the community is much more than a convenient gas and pit stop off the highway when travelling to and from the Lower Mainland. As a new downtown revitalization strategy rolls out, a more vibrant and engaging downtown area is emerging, drawing both residents and tourist traffic into the area, and creating new economic opportunities. The project was supported with funding from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).