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Creston Valley Merges with Kootenay Lake to Become Newest Imagine Kootenay Partner Community

Can you imagine yourself living, working and doing business in the heart of the Kootenays? Then Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake could be the place for you – and everything you need to know about relocating to the region can now be found at imaginekootenay.com.

Imagine Kootenay is excited to announce the addition of Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake to our partnership. The new “Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake” section on Imagine Kootenay website was developed after Creston Valley communities decided to join forces with already-existing partner, Kootenay Lake, to become the newest community partner.

This new partnership includes the Town of Creston and Regional District of Central Kootenay Areas A, B and C. The area, rich with prosperous farmland, stretches over 130 kilometres – reaching as far north as Riondel, and as east as Yahk and home to two US border crossings. With a population of over 15,000, the communities within the area are home to hard working and innovative people of all ages.

Historically, the Kutenai people of the Ktunaxa Nation have resided in the Kootenay Lake & Creston Area for over 11,000 years. Currently, the Nation comprises of four Canadian and one US band, including Lower Kootenay Band – Yaqan Nukiy – located 4 kilometers south of the Town of Creston. Living examples of their ancient cultural heritage remain in their arts, language, technology, and annual Yaqan Nukiy Traditional Pow-Wow event.

Imagine Kootenay is a collaborative partnership of Kootenay-region communities who have joined forces to attract, retain, and expand business investment in their community. Current partners include: Nelson, Castlegar, Revelstoke, Trail & area, the Columbia Valley region, Kimberley, Fernie, Sparwood, Boundary Region, Nakusp, Golden & area, and now Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake.

Imagine Kootenay offers a free, online listing service for investment opportunities and businesses for sale that provides provincial, national, and international exposure to a website with 50,000 visitors and 2,000 investors.

“Imagine Kootenay is a great tool for not only the people who live and work here but also for people who want to live and work here,” says Terry Van Horn, Chair of the Imagine Kootenay partnership. “The three pillars of working, investing and living in the Kootenays ensures Imagine Kootenay is a one-stop resource with up to date information for doing business and finding great work opportunities in the Kootenays. We are excited to welcome the entire Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake communities to this regional partnership!”

Local management of the Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake information will be provided by Kootenay Employment Services. Heidi Germann, the Economic Action Partnership Manager, wants entrepreneurs and business owners from the area to register their business opportunities at https://imaginekootenay.com/.

“Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake is filled with success stories of entrepreneurs who choose to be here because of the agriculture-rich landscape, fresh waters and friendly neighbours,” says Germann. “People want to live here”.