The West Koot Route is getting a boost in development through rural dividend funding.
The route is a large tourism initiative set along a 200-plus kilometre stretch of highway linking the many villages and tourism destinations of the idyllic West Kootenays.
It began as a branding project created through a partnership of the Nakusp/area, Slocan/area, and Kaslo Chambers of Commerce, and has now grown into one of the larger tourism destinations across B.C.
Since its conception, the project has always been funded through these district chambers, but now they have received $10,000 in order to make their previous marketing strategies feasible over the next couple of years.
“We’re calling it the Solution for Sustainability project and we’re exploring options for sustainable funding for the West Koot Route initiative,” said Susan Kostuch, president of the Nakusp Chamber of Commerce. “Things like membership or destination marketing fee, perhaps participation for existing Destination of Marketing Organization (DMO). We’re just getting research done for that, talking to key speak holders and the business owners in the community, and finding out which is the best way forward.”
The Solution for Sustainability project will be working in conjunction with businesses and chamber members of the various locales along the West Koot Route, suggesting the best options for sustainability, and asking if they have any suggestions as to the best way to move forward with the project.
The Chamber will be hiring a contractor to complete the project. This contractor will be contacting various businesses along the West Koot Route to see what ideas they have for sustainability.
“The project is just starting out, but there will be opportunity for the business owners and residents in the communities to know what is happening,” concluded Kostuch.