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.
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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.