BC Regional Series: Kootenay

Summary

The Kootenay region of British Columbia offers a unique combination of lifestyle and business opportunities, with strong growth across multiple sectors.

• Technology & Innovation: Rapidly growing tech ecosystem supported by KAST and Innovate BC, featuring success stories like Thoughtexchange, PodTech, and emerging startups in clean tech and software development.
• Natural Resources & Agriculture: Cranbrook as a hub for forestry, mining and bioenergy; Geoscience BC is advancing mineral and geothermal projects; agriculture is thriving with ranching, dairy, grains and an expanding wine industry.
• Manufacturing & Economic Development: Manufacturing contributes $18B to B.C.’s GDP, diversifying into electronics, aerospace and specialty products; Indigenous business development adds economic diversity.

Many studies show quality of life improves productivity and success in business. However, in the fast-paced world of international business, it isn’t always easy or convenient to make time for lifestyle pursuits. Few places combine opportunity and lifestyle quite like British Columbia’s Kootenay region. Here, rural beauty meets urban amenities, and growing sectors such as technology, natural resources, agriculture and manufacturing offer room to invest, build and thrive.

Tech and Innovation

The Kootenay tech sector has been growing for several years but that growth has become exponential. One example is Rossland-based crowdsourcing company Thoughtexchange which has attracted major investments, including raising $20 million in Series B financing, followed by an an additional $10 million in 2020 and $13.5 million in equity financing in 2023.

PodTech, which manufactures modular data servers inside shipping containers, has become a standout success story. The company grew from a local startup to being acquired by Australia-based IREN in 2020. Despite the acquisition, PodTech chose to keep its Canadian home base in the village of Canal Flats in the Kootenay region. The decision was supported by the local council and the Columbia Lake Technology Centre, along with the region’s clean, sustainable power and high-speed fibre connectivity

Other notable companies in the Kootenay region include EduFunder, a crowdfunded college financing tool, SMRT1 Technologies, which develops smarter vending machines, and Cronometer, an app for tracking nutritional value.

This growing ecosystem is supported by the Kootenay Association for Science & Technology and the Venture Acceleration Program, an initiative of Innovate BC that helps early-stage entrepreneurs grow their companies. The program in the Kootenay region is also supported by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).

The city of Nelson has become a hub for diverse tech companies such as D-Pace, Cotality (formally CoreLogic), Cover Architecture Collaborative Inc., Valid Manufacturing Ltd., as well as SMRT1 Technologies and more. The suite of services is far reaching, from commercial accelerator products and business intelligence and customization to software consulting and application development. Clean tech is especially inspired there, with companies working on energy conservation and sustainable design for buildings and vehicles.

Across the region, tech innovators draw inspiration from the Kootenay’s strong natural resource sector and are revolutionizing industry processes. Mining and forestry companies are turning to virtual and augmented reality solutions to site safety and efficiency.

Natural Resources

Cranbrook is the largest urban centre in southeastern B.C. and has a robust investment profile and economic development plan. It is a hub community in the region with the main campus of College of the Rockies, a regional hospital and opportunities in the natural resource sector, especially in forestry, value-added manufacturing and bioenergy. The Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC) offers direct flights to major Western Canada hubs, making business travel a breeze.

Geoscience BC is advancing new geological data across the Kootenay region to support the understanding of the geology that holds world-class critical mineral deposits and to guide future exploration investment. Its multi-phase geothermal research near Kootenay Lake has produced 3D models that point to promising direct-heat energy potential, creating new opportunities for clean energy development and community benefit.

Kootenay Business has more information on all kinds of opportunities in the region, including forestry and mining.

Agriculture

Agriculture and wineries represent a sector ripe with opportunity in the Kootenay region. The land supports ranching and dairy production as well as fertile growing conditions for grains, fruits and vegetables. Long, warm summers make the region ideal for grape growing and wine production.

Nearly 400,000 hectares of land is dedicated to the Agricultural Land Reserve. The thousands of farms in this region generate millions in revenue for the province.

Emerging opportunities in the agricultural sector include wineries, and processing and value-added production. Recent trends have encouraged ranching expansion as well as the farming of turkeys, goats for dairy operation and artisan cheeses, and Christmas trees as future viable enterprises, in addition to grapes and wineries.

A more detailed overview of agriculture opportunities in the region is available from Imagine Kootenay.

Manufacturing

The Columbia Valley includes the municipalities of Invermere, Radium and Canal Flats. Growing manufacturing sectors include food and beverage processors and technology and advanced manufacturing at the Columbia Lake Technology Center at Canal Flats.

Manufacturing is an important economic driver contributing approximately $18 billion to British Columbia’s gross domestic product (GDP) and over 6% of the province’s total GDP. Historically, the sector has been dominated by wood products and metals production within the West Kootenay region. These products continue to be important, however, the sector is developing a diversified mix of products that include electronics, scientific instruments, aerospace parts, clothing and textiles, beverage products, and specialty industrial part production.

The homelands of the Ktunaxa peoples, the Kootenays are known for natural beauty and rich cultural history. The Kootenay Aboriginal Business Development Agency offers business services to Aboriginal entrepreneurs, boosting the diversity of the local economy. The headwaters of the Columbia river meet the Kootenay river tributary here, creating idyllic scenes and prime fishing conditions.

The Kootenay region has a lot to offer to businesses and budding entrepreneurs, and plenty of opportunities for investors. Learn more about regional economic development opportunities and supports from Community Futures, the economic development organization for the Kootenays. You can also visit our communities page.

Stay tuned for future blogs on other regions of British Columbia, or follow us on LinkedIn or X for regular updates.