Two brand new for-profit Community Investment Co-ops (CIC) are recruiting founding members in the East and West Kootenays.

Community Investment Co-ops are a new and innovative support system for rural economic and business development that effectively bridge the gap between local investors and local ventures in need of financing. CICs are a cost effective, community owned and controlled impact fund.

A membership share in the CIC costs $500-$1000, and each member can invest up to $5,000. Those funds will be pooled and invested directly in local businesses with the purpose of promoting economic, social, environmental and community impacts.

East Kootenay Columbia Community Investment Co-op covers the regions of Elk Valley, Cranbrook-Kimberley, Columbia Valley-Golden and Revelstoke. Public launch sessions for the East Kootenay co-op are being held in Golden (Nov. 13), Revelstoke (Nov. 14), Radium & Invermere (Nov. 15), Sparwood & Fernie (Nov. 20), Kimberley (Nov 21) and Cranbrook (Nov 22). To RSVP for a launch event in the East Kootenay, click here.

West Kootenay Boundary Community Investment Co-op covers the regions of Grand Forks-Boundary, Trail-Rossland, Nelson-Castlegar and Slocan, Arrow & Upper Kootenay Lakes. Public launch sessions for the West Kootenay co-op are being held in Nelson (Nov 27), Trail (Nov 28), Grand Forks (Nov 29), Castlegar (Dec 4), Silverton & Nakusp (Dec 5), and Kaslo (Dec 6). To RSVP for a launch event in the West Kootenay, click here.

Each co-op is aiming to recruit 60 founding members by December 14, 2018.