New Funding Awarded to KORE for Recovery Advisor Positions

The Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise Initiative (KORE) has been awarded funding to hire two economic recovery advisors to work with the network of outdoor recreation production manufacturers and designers in the region.

The funding comes from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) and is part of the Rural Business and Community Recovery Program (RBCR), put in place to help communities and businesses throughout British Columbia’s Southern Interior bounce back from the economic challenges of this past year.

The funding from ETSI-BC and the Government of British Columbia will allow KORE to hire an “Accelerator Advisor” who will work directly with the KORE outdoor gear business network, as well as an “Attraction Advisor,” whose job it will be to attract incoming businesses to start-up or relocate to the Kootenays.

Matt Mosteller (shown above) is the Board Chair of KORE and he sees the funding as a significant win to move KORE forward in creating sustainable rural economic development. “We are super excited about the momentum that KORE has now. We have over 40 passionate entrepreneurs creating craft outdoor gear right here in the Kootenays and the power of collaboration and growth is real,” he says. “Partners like ETSI-BC provide incredible fuel for us to continue to create employment and enhance the outdoor economy here in the Kootenay Region of British Columbia. Furthermore, the Government of British Columbia shares our vision to create rural economic drivers by supporting KORE through RBCR funding. Together we are making a difference.”

In total, the ETSI-BC adjudication team selected 20 successful applicants for the funding and the projects will create a total of 30 part-time and full-time Recovery Advisor positions to assist businesses and rural communities in the Southern Interior with COVID-19 economic recovery. “In reviewing the applications, we saw innovation at the forefront as a key to economic recovery for communities,” says Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC. “Our team is working closely with the recipients so their Recovery Advisors can engage and begin providing much-needed economic recovery support.”

About KORE

KORE is an economic development and diversification initiative managed by the Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Society located in Kimberley, BC. KORE has organized an industry cluster of all the outdoor recreation gear manufacturers and designers in the Kootenay region and to date has identified 40+ craft gear makers and designers who have organically started up production manufacturing and design within the Kootenays. KORE’s goal is to scale and attract growth within the industry cluster.

About ETSI-BC

ETSI-BC was created by the Province of British Columbia to assist in the growth and diversification of the economy in the Southern Interior of the province. Its service area spans nine Regional Districts from Hope in the west to the Alberta border and from Clearwater to the U.S. border.