Our Communities

Creston

The Town of Creston sits in the rich, wide valley between the Purcell and Selkirk Mountain Ranges in the Purcell Trench at the base of the Skimmerhorn Mountains with the Kootenay River draining into Kootenay Lake. The original inhabitants of the region were the Kutenai – one of three groups who formed the Ktunaxa First Nation. The first European known to have come to the area was the British explorer and geographer, David Thompson, after having crossed the Rockies in mid-winter with his indigenous wife and two small children in 1807. Other explorers and prospectors followed seeking precious metals and settlement of the area began.

The Creston Valley’s economy today is fueled mostly by agriculture and forestry, with many residents working in government services, education, and significant growth in the tourism and hospitality sector. The Columbia Brewery, producer of Kokanee Beer and Kootenay Ale is a significant employer and, in addition to the fruit and vegetable harvests, the area is seeing an increasing number of vineyard plantings and wine production.

• Population (2016 est.):
  5,351
• Age Demographic Profile:
  Children (0-14 years):580.
  Emerging Labour Force (15-24 years): 430.
  Primary Labour Force (25-64): 2,370.
  Seniors (65+): 1,975
• Primary Industry:
  Sales and Service
  Healthcare
  Social and Gov’t Services
  Agriculture
  Education
  Trades, transport & equipment ops
• Major Employers:
  School Dist. # 8
  Columbia Brewery
  JH Huscroft Ltd.
  Interior Health Authority (regional)
  BCGEU (regional)
  RDCK (regional)

Nelson

The City of Nelson is situated at the junction of provincial Highway 3A and Highway 6 on the shores of Kootenay Lake, one of the largest and most beautiful  lakes in BC. Though the economy was at one time based on forestry and mining, this is less and less true. Tourism, recreation, hospitality and retail sales now also play major roles.  Nelson has also emerged as the provincial administrative center for the Kootenays.

The city is known as a “hotbed“ for entrepreneurs and knowledge workers as well as for local and organic food and product producers (and consumers). Perhaps as a result of all this activity, Nelson also has a cost of living, and housing, higher than any other community in the region. This is a challenge is met by job seekers, employers and residents alike—all of whom appreciate its thriving arts and culture scene and its world class recreational opportunities.

• Population (2014 est.):
  10,532 – 16,704 (including RDCK Areas E & F)
• Age Demographic Profile:
  Children (0-14 years):1620.
  Emerging Labour Force (15-24 years): 1245.
  Primary Labour Force (25-64): 5790.
  Seniors (65+): 1575
• Labour Force:
  Labour Force participation rate: 59.3% (Kootenay Region) Average Income: $37,541/year (88.4 % of BC Average) Source: CRA 2014
• Primary Industry:
  Healthcare
  Social and Gov’t Services
  Tourism and Hospitality
  Retail Sales
  Financial Services
  Construction/Paving
  Emerging Tech and Knowledge sector
• Major Employers:
  Interior Health Authority (regional)
  FortisBC (regional employer)
  BCGEU (regional employer)
  Golden Life (regional employer)
  SD8
  Whitewater Ski Resort
  Selkirk College (regional)
  City of Nelson
  Hume Hotel/Best Western
  Walmart
  Canada Safeway
  Kootenay Country Food Co-Op
  Maglio Building Centre
  YRB (Yellowhead Road and Bridge)
  Nelson and District Credit

Kaslo

The Village of Kaslo, with a population of about 1,000, is the largest community on the main body of Kootenay Lake. Looking east across the lake, residents enjoy breathtaking views of the Purcell Mountains and the iconic Mt. Loki.  Like with most of the West Kootenays, mining and forestry used to provide most of the jobs in Kaslo—and that situation is changing.

The village is home to people with a wide variety of skills and talents, many of whom are there to be close to nature and away from the buzz of cities. Kaslo is a haven for arts and recreation, and is committed to developing jobs in the tech and knowledge sector.

• Population (2014 est.):
  1,008 – 2,597 (including RD Area D)
• Major Employers:
  Interior Health Authority
  SD8
  Kaslo Building Supplies
  Kaslo Hotel and Pub
  Kaslo Motel
  Kaslo Shipyard
  Retallack Lodge
  Kaslo Golf Club
  Honey Candles Ltd
  Jones Boys Boats
  Selkirk Wilderness Skiing
  Stellar Skiing
  Pennywise
  Kootenay Savings Credit Union
  Front St Pizza
  Cornucopia
  Kaslo Community Pharmacy
  Ainsworth Hotsprings

Salmo

The Village of Salmo is another small community served by KCDS. Situated in the  beautiful Selkirk Mountains of southeastern British Columbia, Salmo is an equal 30-minute drive from Nelson, Castlegar, and Trail. This makes for an easy commute to regional employment options. Salmo’s roots are in mining and forestry, but, like the whole region, the community is evolving and trying to diversify into other areas.

Home to a community ski hill, a golf course and the annual Shambhala Music Festival, the village has something for everyone—year-round.  Their Official Community Plan outlines three major economic development objectives: encouraging industries of a non-polluting nature to locate there, promoting the advantages of Salmo’s location, and encouraging multi-level educational opportunities.

• Population (2014 est.):
  1187 – 2,612 (including RDCK Area G)
• Major Employers:
  Interior Health Authority
  SD8
  Porcupine Wood Products Ltd
  Kootenay Savings Credit Union
  Shop Easy
  Salmo Foods
  Esso
  Subway

Slocan

The Village of Slocan is in the Slocan Valley, beneath the big peaks of Valhalla Provincial Park, where Slocan Lake turns into Slocan River. With the closing of the Springer Creek Forest Products sawmill, the Village of Slocan and area lost around 175 well-paying jobs. As is often the case in communities where the primary employer shuts down, the people of the area have had to reinvent themselves and diversify. This makes for a dynamic environment, full of potential.

Though forestry stills provides many jobs for the village and area residents, eco-tourism, growing and selling local food, and work in technology are all contributing to the village’s evolution. New housing starts, population and business development are on the rise—all indicators of positive growth.

• Population (2014 est.):
  301 – 5275 (including RDCK Area H)
• Major Employers:
  Interior Health Authority
  SD8
  YRB (Yellowhead Road and Bridge)
  Sockeye Enterprises
  Slocan Village Market
  Harold St Café
  Flaca’s Bistro
  Mountain Valley Station
  WEGCSS
  Village of Slocan
  Ice Creek Lodge
  Weir Dough’s Woodfire Bakery
  MamaSita’s Cafe
  Sleep Is For Sissies
  SIFCO

Community Resources

The FETCH site provides information about programs and resources located in, or serving, communities in the Kootenay Boundary Region.