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Business Beat

What’s new in Kootenay business

The Kootenay communities live and breathe creativity, ingenuity, and talent. From the colourful summer markets of Invermere to the tailored boutiques in Nelson, it’s the people behind the scenes that make business in the Kootenays something to be proud of.

Are you a business owner—or know of a business—in the Kootenays with something new and exciting happening with the company? Please submit your information, and we will follow up with you for a possible entry on this page.

Recent Business Beat articles

Medals adorn six bottles of spirits on a patio table.
East Kootenay, Creston, Agriculture, Cuisine, Small Business Wynndel Craft Distilleries creates award-winning spirits in Creston Valley

Pat Meerholz, co-owner of Wynndel Craft Distilleries in Creston Valley, B.C., handcrafts award-winning brandy, gin, rum, vodka, liqueur and schnapps

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A glass and growler full of beer on a table with Erie Creek Brewing Company’s logo on the front.
West Kootenay, Salmo, Cuisine, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business Beer from Salmo’s new brewery is as natural as the water it’s made from

Colin Hango, owner of Erie Creek Brewing Company in Salmo, B.C., has created a family-owned and -operated nano brewery and lounge

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Graphic showing a small business owner.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Small Business Shop local and celebrate small business

Local businesses form the heart of any community. Has a local business gone above and beyond? Tell us about it.

by Julie Matchett
Simon and Stephanie Jones
West Kootenay, Real Estate West Kootenay PropertyGuys.com franchise owners honoured by prestigious award

PropertyGuys.com franchise owners, Simon and Stephanie Jones, take home gold at the recent Canadian Franchise Association awards

by Julie Matchett
Smiling young man behind counter.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Education, Financial, Small Business Columbia Basin Trust program expansions offer assistance to struggling small businesses

Low-interest loans, wage subsidies and tuition funding are among the support measures being offered to the region’s businesses and residents.

by Julie Matchett
Kirk Ismay, wearing striped blue and white shirt.
West Kootenay, Nelson, Small Business, Technology Secure by Design makes sense of the internet

This award-winning internet service provider keeps the Kootenays connected

by Julie Matchett
Two people shaking hands across a table, laptops are on table as well.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Education, Financial, Small Business, Technology Are you a small business or start-up looking to raise capital? This virtual info-session may help

The B.C. government is hosting a free webinar to answer questions about free trade and the province's Small Business Venture Capital program.

by Julie Matchett
Students line up—one behind the other— in creative photo.
West Kootenay, Rossland, Education An innovative Rossland learning centre sees huge interest in digital education

With students and teachers poised to return to school, how will the future of education post-pandemic look?

by Julie Matchett
Woman sewing, with CBT logo.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Financial Columbia Basin Trust funding to help alleviate pandemic impact to communities

$11.7 million in new funding is available for businesses and community services affected by the ongoing pandemic

by Julie Matchett
Giant hamburger, with words
East Kootenay, West Kootenay Are you Open for Business?

Finding new, innovative ways to help customers is the new normal for businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Are you open for business? Let us know.

Graphic showing woman holding pencil looking at computer screens.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Financial, Small Business Online survey highlights impact of pandemic to B.C. businesses

B.C.’s small businesses make recommendations on the types of support they would like to see from governments

by Julie Matchett
Graphic asking how COVID-19 is affecting your business.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Small Business How is COVID-19 impacting your business?

Businesses across the Kootenays are stepping up to help their fellow citizens—share your business story.

Interior of gym with exercise equipment.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Health & Wellness Find your tribe at The Den Performance Training Centre in Cranbrook

The Den, a new fitness centre in Cranbrook, empowers people of all ages to embrace their best self

by Julie Matchett
Group of women attending conference.
East Kootenay, Elkford, Fernie, Sparwood, Education, Financial Empowering female entrepreneurs: Teck offers grant to attend Vancouver E-Series conference

The Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE) E-Series is three-day conference held from May 13 - 15 in Vancouver

by Julie Matchett
Image with graph and text.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay B.C. Economic Outlook report forecasts modest growth for province

Despite some economic challenges in the Kootenay region, certain sectors are on the verge of booming

by Julie Matchett
Outside of the New Pioneer Lodge.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Fernie, West Kootenay, Nelson Housing projects create affordable homes for Kootenay-area residents

Local housing projects in the Kootenay region are helping to alleviate the lack of affordable housing in the area

by Julie Matchett
Stacey Goldade, owner of Sparrow Hair in Fernie.
East Kootenay, Fernie, Environment, Small Business Salute to an environmentally sustainable salon in Fernie

Sparrow Hair in Fernie joins forces with Green Circle Salons, a North American-wide recycling and sustainability program that aims to reduce salon waste

by Julie Matchett
Group of delegates at Roundup conference.
Mining New opportunities on the horizon for mineral exploration in Western Canada

Highlights from this year's conference included some exciting announcements regarding resource development and exploration

Two people on a high-ropes course.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay Basin PLAYS initiative encourages fun and fitness for kids

24 projects from across the Kootenay region will receive funding from the Columbia Basin Trust PLAYS Capital Improvement Grant

by Julie Matchett
Outside facade of the Armond Theatre.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Entertainment and Hospitality Armond Theatre restoration gives aging building another shot at glory

With three new owners, Cranbrook's aging Armond Theatre gets a new lease on life with planned renovations

by Julie Matchett
View all Business Beat articles