ETSI-BC (Economic Trust of the Southern Interior)

Non-Profits in the East Kootenays Embrace Social Enterprise Model

Through a project run by Community Futures East Kootenay local non-profits are learning how social enterprises work and are being supported in creating business plans for their social enterprise ventures. Read More: lnkd.in/gAVbR2Cb

ETSI-BC is pleased to support the 2025 Southern Interior Regional Economic Summit.

The conference will feature diverse speakers from Indigenous communities, regional associations, economic development, and private sectors.

Learn more and register today: www.sires.ca

#ETSIBC

In the town of Sicamous, the need for a Community and Investment Profile and professional marketing materials became a priority. ETSI-BC supported the development of the profile, which is already attracting new investment to the area.

Read More: www.etsi-bc.ca/investment-o...

Our Fall 2025 Funding Intake will close on October 9.

Local communities, First Nations, community economic development organizations, and industry groups within the Southern Interior of B.C. are eligible to apply. We’ve allocated up to $1M for this funding cycle.

www.etsi-bc.ca/etsi-bc-fall...

Central Kootenay businesses are demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability by completing the BC Green Business certification program through Community Futures Central Kootenay.

Read more: www.etsi-bc.ca/central-koot...

#StrongEconomy #StrongerCommunities #ETSIBC

We are proud to support the Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise (KORE) Summit, Western Canada’s only conference dedicated to the outdoor rec-tech manufacturing and product design sector.

Date: Oct 2-3, 2025
Location: Kimberley Alpine Resort’s Conference Centre

koreoutdoors.org/summit/summi...

In response to our hugely popular AI webinar series earlier this year, ETSI-BC is pleased to offer a 6-month AI certification program for economic developers starting in September 2025.

Registration deadline is next Tuesday, September 16.

Read more in our latest eBlast: mailchi.mp/1516ead90f9c...

The Lower Columbia Community Development Team Society worked with other organizations to launch an innovative model for food distribution.

The Grow and Connect customized software platform, supported by ETSI-BC, helps businesses coordinate regional shipping routes.

www.etsi-bc.ca/innovative-f...

The ETSI-BC AI Certification Program is designed specifically for economic development professionals based in the Southern Interior of BC who want to build confidence using AI tools and strategies in their work.

Complete the Expression of Interest by September 16, 2025.

Learn more: bit.ly/42eBGjI

ETSI-BC is proud to support the 2025 Southern Interior Regional Economic Summit (SIRES), taking place in Salmon Arm from November 3-5.

Attendees will leave feeling inspired, connected, and equipped with the tools and ideas needed to grow the region’s economy.

For more details, visit: www.sires.ca

We are pleased to support the 2025 Southern Interior Regional Economic Summit.

The conference will feature diverse speakers from Indigenous communities, regional associations, economic development, and private sectors.

Get early bird tickets until August 29. For more details: www.sires.ca

ETSI-BC is pleased to offer a 6-month AI certification program for economic developers. This program will help you promote your region, access funding, employ data to optimize your efforts and make your work more efficient.

Registration deadline is September 16: www.etsi-bc.ca/6-month-ai-c...

The Osoyoos Indian Band, one of Canada's most progressive First Nations, launched Nk’Mip Forestry in 2014 to sustainably manage the forest lands while preserving the band’s cultural and environmental values. Today, it is a key economic driver thanks to a new communications strategy.

bit.ly/45DfUsl

ETSI-BC is pleased to offer a 6-month AI certification program for economic developers. There will be 6 monthly classes and 6 monthly labs, starting September 24, 2025.

The registration deadline is Tuesday, September 16.

Learn more and register: www.etsi-bc.ca/6-month-ai-c...

Are you looking for ways to move your communities forward this fall? Our latest eBlast shares some valuable opportunities and resources:
- AI Certification for Economic Developers
- Our Fall Funding Intake.
- Our Fiscal 2025 Annual Report.

Read more: mailchi.mp/1516ead90f9c...

ETSI-BC released its FY2025 Annual Report for the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2025. In FY2025, ETSI-BC funded 104 projects throughout its service area, providing almost $2.2 million in funding to projects which had a total value of almost $6 million.

Read More: www.etsi-bc.ca/about/key-pu...

The Kicking Horse Chamber of Commerce is addressing the lack of available workers in Golden. With support from ETSI-BC, the Workforce Innovation & Youth Mentorship Program promises to increase local employment, increase wages and help retain employees.

Read more: www.etsi-bc.ca/youth-mentor...

We just released our Summer 2025 eNews!

We shared details about:
- AI certification program.
- Our Fall Funding Intake
- Market Diversification program
- Southern Interior Regional Economic Summit (SIRES)
- Our Fiscal 2025 Annual Report

Read it all here: bit.ly/45q7OBM

#ETSIBC

Central Kootenay businesses are demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability by completing the BC Green Business certification program through Community Futures Central Kootenay.

Read more: www.etsi-bc.ca/central-koot...

#ETSIBC

After a challenging few years for BC’s 7,000 meat producers and processors, the Small-Scale Meat Producers Association is pursuing several initiatives to build a Butcher Hub Network in the Southern Interior.

Read more: www.etsi-bc.ca/butcher-hub-...

#ETSIBC

We are delighted to share that our CEO, Laurel Douglas, was included once again in this year's BC500 Most Influential Leaders list. The 2025 list was published this month by Business in Vancouver and it acknowledges the 500 most influential business leaders in B.C.

On June 6, 2025, ETSI-BC approved $1 million to support 28 projects, representing a combined project value of $2.8 million. These initiatives are set to help diversify the region’s economy and support local innovation.

READ MORE: www.etsi-bc.ca/etsi-bc-inve...

#ETSIBC

With the purchase of an aging commercial building in 2022, the Skills Centre embarked on an ambitious renovation resulting in one of the most accessible, inclusive and energy-efficient buildings in the city. Now the Centre is using the power of videography to tell its story.

For more bit.ly/3Gh9bdx

Congratulations to our Program Administrator Extraordinaire, Mary Beadman, on her 12th anniversary with ETSI-BC!!

The Board and team are so thankful for all Mary does to support us. Here’s to you, Mary! We appreciate you!

With food security increasingly top of mind, the Kootenay Farms Food Hub is playing an important role in the Creston Valley.

Support from ETSI-BC enabled the Hub to increase its capacity by adding three specialized contractors to the food hub team.

READ MORE: www.etsi-bc.ca/creston-food...

Food security and rising consumer demand for local food are the inspiration behind a pilot project by BCMeats in the North Okanagan. The project will raise the profile of regional producers and processors, making it easier for consumers to source the products they want.

Read more: bit.ly/4kh7EDd

During the pandemic, the Lakeshore Resort and Campground, owned by the Akisqnuk First Nation, had to close. Since then, a plan was needed to return this important tourism asset to the region. In 2023, ETSI-BC supported a feasibility study to explore the best way to do this.

For more: bit.ly/3NAumYe

Behind many successful entrepreneurs in the Southern Interior region are post-secondary institutions that provide entrepreneurial training. A powerful example is the Kootenay Entrepreneurship Program.

Read more: bit.ly/3ESVQaV

We are pleased to share an Economic Analysis of the BC Southern Interior, prepared by the Centre for Innovative & Entrepreneurial Leadership. This report draws on the data used by ETSI-BC’s regional economic dependencies data tool and supplemented by 2011 Census data, for context.

bit.ly/4daO6ha

Wishing our CEO, Laurel Douglas, a happy 5th work anniversary this week!

She recently had a visit from Chris Pieper (pictured), who was Board Chair when Laurel joined the organization. His efforts and guidance were crucial in transforming ETSI-BC into what it is today. Congratulations to you both!