Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise Initiative

KORE is a Kootenay-based, non-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to makers and creators in the outdoor manufacturing sector. It’s the craft gear from here. We’re attracting investment, furthering a new business sector, and adding to the funky/sophisticated cultural and economic milieu of the Kootenays. We respectfully acknowledge that KORE’s head office is on the unceded territory of the Ktunaxa, who have occupied these lands for over 10,000 years.

“Economic development initiatives work when you take full advantage of natural assets. We are successfully driving tourism and local lifestyle with what Kimberley has to offer, so this initiative is a natural extension for us. I am very excited about the possibilities.”

Don McCormickMayor, Kimberley, BC

Our “KORE” Values

We love wilderness, being in nature, and a life on the edge. We crave adventure. We are relentlessly creative. We support grassroots movements, locally made craft goods and hand-built innovation. We need to be authentic leaders and participants in the Kootenay community. Economic and environmental sustainability is of massive importance. Most importantly, we connect Kootenay craft gear creators and makers.

“I’m extremely inspired by the vision of KORE, as the mission is very close to my heart. I feel there’s no better place to innovate than in the Kootenay Region of British Columbia. Spending time here innovating feels more like play than work, and by enjoying access to wilderness and low population density we’re able to focus clearly on the problems than need solving rather the problems associated with lack of clarity, presence and purpose. I feel lucky to live, play and work in the region and am very proud to be part of the KORE collective.”

Cam ShuteDark Horse Innovations (Nelson, BC)

KORE OUTDOORS KORE Discovery KORE CONNECTION KORE WorkForce KORE Fab Labs KORE TRAILHEAD

KORE Cluster

KORE’s “core” initiative, to attract the outdoor industry to start up or relocate in the Kootenay region of British Columbia to create and grow a cluster of outdoor gear makers and product designers.

KORE Discovery

The Kootenay region of British Columbia is a hidden gem which many in the outdoor industry are not familiar. The KORE Discovery Initiative will bring potential brands, designers, creators and media into the Kootenays to discover the lifestyle amenities and industry support and resources available to incoming outdoor businesses.

KORE CONNECTION

A robust network of outdoor gear builders, designers and creators is currently organically thriving throughout the Kootenays. The KORE Connection is an initative to bring together the outdoor industry with quarterly meet-ups for idea sharing, networking and collaboration.

KORE WorkForce

KORE is working with the College of the Rockies to identify labour market needs and workforce skills required for the next generation of gear builders and designers and to create a Kootenay Outdoor Industry Hub and Directory.

KORE Fab Labs

KORE is collaborating with the College of the Rockies (Cranbrook) and the Selkirk Technology Access Centre (STAC) in Trail to open the door for KORE’s gear makers to access fabrication technology for product design and rapid prototyping.

KORE Trailhead

Coming in the future, a KORE Trailhead co-op workspace hub for designers, makers and creators.

KORE’s Mission

KORE is Canada’s first outdoor craft gear makers alliance. Our focus is on attracting people keen on positively participating in our communities: local employment, local resources, local customers, local knowledge. We are for people who realize KORE is at the center of a new manufacturing economy, the small-scale, craft outdoor gear economy.

The Kootenay Region

It’s one of the world’s more renowned mountain regions. That rare combination of wilderness, distant peaks and funky little towns that connect the dots in between. Born from a passionate history of pioneering and exploring the mountains, Kootenay craft gear makers are not afraid. Just like the adventurers of the Kootenays, they welcome exposure, they’re not afraid of getting out there and taking a chance.

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The Makers

Our people are passionate and innovative, they just don’t stop. And they do it humbly, they’re nitro-fueled creatives, they’re artists, wilderness seekers, oddballs. They’re the outliers, the doers. Meet the entrepreneurs, designers, innovators and creatives who are the center of Kootenay Craft Gear.

“KORE is an exciting initiative in the Columbia Basin that brings together designers and manufacturers of outdoors equipment. As a business advisor and coach I am particularly excited about KORE as it facilitates a collaborative partnership approach among passionate, like-minded, local business owners. Creating this supportive environment paired with local access to transformational business support services results in a true win for businesses, the communities and the regional outdoors industry overall.”

Michael Hoher Export Navigator and RevUp (Nelson, BC)