Summary

• The Village of Nakusp is receiving nearly $86,000 to help attract more visitors to Nakusp Hot Springs
• The initiative will support future tourism growth, create local jobs and increase opportunities for businesses
• The initiative is funded through the Province’s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program

__________

People and businesses in the Kootenays can expect to benefit from more visitors and customers in their communities with provincial support for a new initiative designed to help more people enjoy the Nakusp Hot Springs.

“Nakusp Hot Springs is more than a destination, it’s a place that supports local jobs, brings people together and helps the community thrive,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “By helping the Village of Nakusp plan for future growth, we’re investing in the people who live and work here, while ensuring visitors can continue to enjoy everything the region has to offer. Through our Look West strategy, we’re creating new opportunities for communities to grow, strengthen their local economies and build a strong future for the people who call them home."

Through the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program, the Province is providing nearly $86,000 for the Village of Nakusp to plan for growth at Nakusp Hot Springs. Plans include potential improvements that will help attract more visitors, create job opportunities and strengthen the local economy.

Supporting future growth at Nakusp Hot Springs

With this funding, the Village of Nakusp will be able to better understand visitor demand and accommodation needs to help determine the amount of new accommodation needed at Nakusp Hot Springs.

The funding will support the engineering and design of a new wastewater treatment system and upgrades to the village’s potable water infrastructure needed to expand the number of accommodation units at Nakusp Hot Springs.

“For more than 50 years, the Nakusp Hot Springs have been a cornerstone of tourism and economic activity in our community and area,” said Tom Zeleznik, mayor of Nakusp. “This funding will help us plan for future accommodation expansion and modern wastewater infrastructure needed to support long-term growth. As a community-owned facility, increased visitation strengthens local businesses, creates employment opportunities and helps ensure the hot springs continue to benefit Nakusp and the surrounding area for generations to come.”

By increasing the community’s capacity to welcome visitors, the initiative is expected to generate more tourism-related economic activity, and create more jobs and long-term opportunities for people and businesses in the region. When the expansion is complete, the initiative is expected to create four full-time jobs, one part-time job and one seasonal job.

“Nakusp Hot Springs is an important part of B.C.’s tourism economy and these improvements will enhance the visitor experience, attract new travellers and support long-term economic growth in the region,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “This investment advances key actions in B.C.’s Tourism Sector Action Plan by strengthening destination infrastructure, supporting year-round tourism opportunities and building a more resilient and competitive tourism sector for the future.”

This investment aligns with the Province's Look West: Tourism Sector Action Plan, which supports tourism development that attracts more visitors, creates jobs and strengthens local economies throughout B.C.

“The Nakusp Hot Springs has been an important gathering place and economic driver for generations,” said Brittny Anderson, MLA for Kootenay Central. “By planning for future growth today, we’re helping ensure this community-owned asset continues to create opportunities for local businesses, workers and families across the region.”

Supporting economic diversification

The Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program:

• supports economic diversification and resilience
• strengthens economic capacity
• supports infrastructure development in rural and Indigenous communities in B.C.

Since 2022, the Province has invested $156.5 million through the program, supporting 525 projects throughout B.C. creating an estimated 7,500 jobs in rural communities.

Learn More:

• To learn more about the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program and see the lists of approved projects, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/redip
• Read the full Tourism Sector Action Plan: https://gov.bc.ca/LookWestTourism
• Read the full Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger BC and Canada strategy: https://gov.bc.ca/LookWest