Businesses in the West Kootenays have been able to overcome labour market challenges through the Rural and Northern Immigration Program (RNIP) which brings skilled permanent residents to rural communities and matches them with employers with job vacancies. ETSI-BC supported an extension of the project, enabling businesses in many sectors to continue to grow and thrive.

From flight schools and private air services to hospitality, manufacturing and logistics companies, many types of businesses can benefit from being located near an airport while contributing to economic development in the region. Investment in airport infrastructure increases connections to international markets, attracts new businesses, and creates jobs.

The community of Armstrong in the Spallumcheen Valley salutes its agriculture history and economy with events, festivals and celebrations throughout the year. One of those is the annual Cheese! It’s a Natural event which has been hosted by the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce since 2013.

ETSI-BC was pleased to fund a project spearheaded by the Kelowna Chamber to bring together practitioners to produce the Southern Interior Regional Economic Summit (SIRES). The Summit took place in Kelowna Oct 23-25, 2022, with the theme of “Elevating our Potential Together”.

Food and beverage processing is among Canada’s fastest growing sectors and is making an impact in BC’s Shuswap region. In 2021, the Salmon Arm Economic Development Society launched the Zest Commercial Food Hub to support its food entrepreneurs with shared access to workspace, equipment, mentorship, and research. Zest has expanded quickly, and a second growth phase is underway, helping more producers and processors innovate and thrive.

Supply chain issues are challenging companies around the world and the Kootenays’ Lower Columbia region is no exception. Working with economic development partners across the West Kootenay, the Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation is leading a project to ensure a comeback from the economic slowdown and more resilient supply chains in the future.

If you are researching the Kootenays as a place to live and work, it won’t be long before you land on the Imagine Kootenay website. For nearly two decades this information portal has attracted businesses and workforce talent, mainly from within the region. With a new strategy targeting investment from across Canada, Imagine Kootenay is ramping up its business attraction strategy to ensure long-term growth and competitiveness.

As the Columbia Basin/Boundary Region experiences significant growth and change, support available from economic development professionals in the area is also evolving. The Economic Development Practitioners Network is leveraging the skills and expertise of its members to ensure communities throughout the region can access the resources they need to achieve their economic goals.

The Economic Trust of Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is delighted to announce the eight successful grant recipients that will receive funding in 2022 through its research funding partnership with Mitacs.

The Interior Logging Association is a powerful voice for forestry on government policy and decision-making in BC’s Southern Interior region, and its impacts extend to foresters throughout province. The industry has experienced significant challenges in recent years, due to floods and wildfires, worker shortages and the need for companies to diversify. To address this the ILA has launched an innovative business support program to help its members stabilize, diversify and grow.