KORE; Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise
We've all enjoyed craft beer, artisan foods, and a number of other such locally made goods from jewelry to pottery. But what about outdoor gear? Have you had the pleasure of surfing through powder on a snowboard handmade by your neighbour? How about going on a multi-day trek carrying everything you need in a backpack made by a guy that lives just down the street?Such locally made goods can be a little more difficult to come by but supporting these artisan outdoor gear producers is a step toward a more sustainable future and resilient communities.
Enter KORE.
The Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise is an initiative founded in 2019. Here's an excerpt from their website which summarises their activities "KORE is a Kootenay-based, non-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to makers and creators in the outdoor manufacturing sector. It’s the craft gear from here. We’re attracting investment, furthering a new business sector, and adding to the funky/sophisticated cultural and economic milieu of the Kootenays."
To learn a bit more about KORE, be sure to check out this article from Kootenay Mountain Culture which features words from a few of the people involved. You can also check out their website to see first hand what they are up to.