Kootenay Employment Services believes that everyone has the right to meaningful employment and that employed citizens build healthy communities.  They work with job seekers, employers, community partners and funders to cultivate genuine and collaborative relationships that contribute to the ongoing growth and integrity of the community by providing dynamic employment and community development services.  KES has something to offer anyone who is considering a career change, investigating retraining or thinking of starting their own business.  They have professional staff available to help individuals develop an action plan, and have the latest information on funding for education and small business starts. They also conduct specialized employment programs for various groups of people. 

The Kettle Valley Food Co-op is a marketplace in Grand Forks BC where local producers sell their products to local folks.  The goals of the Kettle Valley Food Co-op are to provide access to quality agricultural products grown in the Kettle Valley, to facilitate year round production and distribution of local food, to build the local farming economy by offering fair pricing to farmers, and to increase transparency in the food distribution chain.  It is a community, working towards an independent local food system.

The mission of the Kootenay Country Store Co-op is to serve their members and community and strengthen their local food system by providing the highest quality, local, sustainable, and organic products at reasonable prices, in a welcoming environment, with exemplary customer service.  The Store values are: to favour local and regional growers, processors, and producers who are committed to sustainable practices; source organic products when feasible and available; provide fair compensation and a meaningful, just work experience for all employees; promote community dialogue and empowerment through education about food, health, the environment and social justice; a commitment to philanthropy, and supporting local organizations that enrich the community; and balancing social justice, environmental stewardship and financial responsibility.