Launched in 2016, the EAP brings together the Town of Creston, the Lower Kootenay Band (Yaqan Nukiy), and RDCK Electoral Areas A, B, and C. With Kootenay Employment Services (KES) as the lead organization and EcoPlan International supporting as a planning partner, the goal is simple: to give people access to the tools and information they need to make community-based economic decisions.
But, how?
The overall goal of the EAP’s Insights project is to give communities valuable economic and population data from across the Kootenays. This information helps residents, business owners, local governments, and organizations make informed decisions that support long-term success and shared prosperity.
The Insights website (available at insights.kes.bc.ca) is a central hub of data and research about the Creston Valley–Kootenay Lake region.
Sounds great! But how is it used?
We’re glad you asked! Whether you’re curious about how the population is growing, what industries are hiring, how housing prices are changing, or what education levels are like in your community—the Insights page has it. It includes:
✅ Population estimates and future projections
✅ Labour force details and employment sectors
✅ Income levels and education stats
✅ Housing data and real estate trends
✅ Community profiles and comparisons
✅ Downloadable reports and interactive charts
Understanding who lives in your community, and how things are changing, matters for a wide variety of reasons. For example, the Insights project helps answer questions like:
This kind of information is vital for creating strategies, and, in short, good data helps everyone make better decisions—and that leads to better outcomes for the whole region.
The Insights Data Platform is designed to be of full value for anyone interested in learning more about the region. Whether you’re a business owner, a community leader, a local government official, or a resident, the platform offers tools that help you explore economic trends and population changes over time. Users can view interactive charts and maps, download reports, and compare data across communities. Key sections include population trends, employment by industry, education levels, income data, housing and real estate information, etc.
You can even create customized reports tailored to your needs—perfect for grant applications, business plans, or community development projects.
The short answer? Everyone.
The Insights platform was built to support all types of users, including:
You don’t need to be a data expert to use the platform! It’s designed with clear visuals, explanations, and both customizable and downloadable reports that are easy to share at presentations and in funding applications.
The Insights page aims to support socio-economic development by giving communities the tools to plan for the future. This means growing the economy in a way that also supports community values such as affordability, inclusiveness, and sustainability.
As the region grows and changes, the platform helps track those shifts; thus, decision-makers can respond with directly applicable policies, new programs, and strategic investments. Whether it’s building housing, supporting tourism, improving transportation, or developing training programs, the data helps shape a clear path forward.
By supporting long-term thinking, the Insights project makes it easier for communities to adapt, grow, and thrive—together.
So, to summarize:
If you’re looking for reliable and local data, the Insights page is for you! Visit the site today to explore the maps, indicators, data, download reports, and discover how the Creston Valley–Kootenay Lake region is growing and evolving.
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