Kootenay, British Columbia
In the southeast corner of B.C., bordering the United States and Alberta, the Kootenay region is one of Canada’s leading destinations for outdoor pursuits with close proximity and multiple border crossings that serve the U.S. market. Pristine rivers, lakes, national and provincial parks, waterfalls, mineral hot springs, alpine meadows, and snow-capped mountains attract outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. Coal production, critical minerals, forestry, and tourism all contribute to the local economy while value-added manufacturing industries, technology and digital media are emerging in the region.
Regional Advantages
ACCELERATE KOOTENAYS
Canada’s first community-driven, collaborative strategy to build an electric vehicle charging station network.
OUTDOOR REC TECH
Canada’s first craft outdoor gear maker alliance, Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise, is dedicated to makers and creators in the outdoor recreation technology manufacturing sector.
BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY
Via a collaboration of regional government partnerships and the Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation, the region is home to a comprehensive open access fibre optic network.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
MetalTechAlley is comprised of companies in Metallurgy, Digital Fabrication, Industrial Recycling, CleanTech and Industrial IoT promoting the shift to a circular economic model.
Key Sectors
Agrifood, Seafood
& Beverage
Clean Energy
Mass Timber
Mining & Critical
Minerals
Clean Tech
Agri Tech
Communities
The Kootenay region is home to 163,100 residents. Key communities such as Nelson and Cranbrook deliver unique shops, friendly neighbours, and an active and progressive business development strategy. Established natural resource industries continue to add value to the local economy through development of agri-food processing, mass timber and critical minerals, circular economy initiatives, and solid footing for the burgeoning tech and digital media sectors. Forestry companies in the Boundary and West-Kootenay region are expanding with additional capital investments.
Discover more facts and statistics about this region:
Economic Development Organizations
First Nations
The main pillars of the Kootenay regional economy are tourism, mining, and forestry, with a significant portion of regional employment existing directly in, or in support of, these three sectors.
Development corporations— owned collectively by aligned First Nations or by individual First Nations— are the primary vehicles by which First Nations pursue and advocate for sustainable economic development.
Economic Development Associations
Regional Profile
Educational Institutions
The College of the Rockies offers a full range of programs in the areas of university studies, adult basic education, health, child youth and family studies, administrative studies, tourism, computer technology, fire services and trades.
Selkirk College was the first regional community college in British Columbia. It has grown into one of the largest organizations in the Kootenays and offers over 60 programs.
Connect With A Regional Expert
Regional experts can help familiarize you with the amenities, infrastructure, and opportunities in each region. They can introduce you to the economic development offices and industry associations that will support the integration of your business into the province.