Created and capitalized by the Province of British Columbia in 2006, the Island Coastal Economic Trust helps support and diversify the coastal economies by strengthening well-being, driving innovation, advancing self-determination and building community resiliency. Independently governed by a Board of Directors and two Regional Advisory Committees which include more than 50 locally elected officials, MLAs and appointees from the Island and Coast, this exceptional team of leaders collaborate to set regional priorities and build vital multi-regional networks. Through a community centered decision-making process, funds are invested in a wide range of economic diversification and community building initiatives. To date, over $52 million in funding has supported more than 210 projects, resulting in over $288 million in new regional initiatives, creating an estimated 2500 construction phase jobs and 2650 long term jobs. Island Coastal Economic Trust acknowledges that we work for communities across the ancestral and unceded territories of the Kwak̓wala, Nuučaan̓uɫ, Éy7á7juuthem, Ligwilda'xw, Pəntl'áč, She shashishalhem, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Hul’q’umi’num’, diitiidʔaatx̣, SENĆOŦEN, Lekwungen, and T’Sou-ke speaking peoples.