Invest Kootenay continues to make gains in its mission to attract, retain, and expand business investment in the Kootenay region, announcing several achievements in recent weeks.

Invest Kootenay is a regional partnership of Kootenay-region communities that have joined forces to develop the Invest Kootenay tools and services in order to seek new business investment for the region.

The partnership has grown, welcoming three additional community partners since the beginning of 2014.

Current partners represent 19 municipalities and several regional district rural areas, including: Kimberley, Fernie, Sparwood, Nelson, Castlegar, Revelstoke, Kootenay Lake, the Lower Columbia Region and, most recently, the Columbia Valley, Boundary region and Nakusp. “Invest Kootenay is one of the best examples of community collaboration for economic development in the Kootenays,” said Garry Jackman, Chair of Invest Kootenay and Regional District of Central Kootenay Electoral Area A Director.

Invest Kootenay offers a free, online listing service for investment opportunities and businesses for sale that provides exposure to a database of registered investors.

Recently, Invest Kootenay reached a milestone with over 1,000 investors registered.

“Not only does Invest Kootenay promote the Kootenay region for new investment, it also supports succession of existing businesses by connecting them to potential investors,” said Jackman.

Invest Kootenay is encouraging entrepreneurs and business owners from its regional partner communities to register their business opportunities for free at investkootenay.com.

The Invest Kootenay partnership’s commitment to attracting investment has made a difference. Within the past five years, there have been 28 confirmed investments in Invest Kootenay listed opportunities, representing $5.8M in direct investment in the region. Five of these investments have occurred since January.

Invest Kootenay expects to continue its track record of success with support from its partners.

Columbia Basin Trust recently announced a two-year, $275,000 commitment to Invest Kootenay to support the community partners’ efforts in collaborating to further economic development in the Kootenay region.

“The contribution from the Trust makes it possible for Invest Kootenay to expand the presence of the Kootenays on the investment stage,” said Jackman. “Invest Kootenay gives our local business owners a significant platform that enables investors from near and far to see what the Kootenays have to offer.”

Invest Kootenay

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