The Kootenay Development Region consists of East Kootenay, Central Kootenay, and Kootenay Boundary Regional Districts, in addition to Electoral Areas A (Golden) and B (Revelstoke) of the Columbia-Shuswap Region. The region, with 3.5% of the total provincial population (142,110 of 4,113,487), comprises 6.2% of British Columbia's land area (57,787 of 924,815 km2) and contains 4.2% of the province's total private dwellings (74,501 of 1,788,474).
Located in the south east corner of the province, the Kootenay Development Region is made up of high mountain ranges and deep valleys which run roughly north to south. The rivers that traverse the elevation through the region provide abundant hydro electric power and this area is home to the province's largest coal fields. The region has experienced mining exploration over the past few years and several coal mines are in the exploration and development phases. This region is also home to the Trail Lead-Zinc Smelter and Refinery Operations of Tech Cominco. Silviculture activities continue to grow as part of a large forestry industry. Outdoor activities surrounding the growing tourism sector involve the local lakes and the many provincial parks in addition to several all-season resort facilities, some of which are currently undergoing expansion phases. Agricultural activities primarily include ranching, grain, fruit, and dairy production, nurseries, and grape growing and wine production. The retirement community continues to grow, helping to expand the service sector.
Target sectors for the Kootenay Development Region include manufacturing and technology, agriculture and wineries, tourism and hospitality, arts and culture, renewable energies, mining and forestry, and health and life sciences.