In the past, rural communities across Canada depended on settlers to build the roads, infrastructure, schools and institutions, business and housing so communities could thrive and be prosperous. Fast forward 100 years and rural communities are now looking to re-imagine themselves in the face of changing demographics, resource industries disappearing, radical changes in technology and centralized government services. This case study outlines how small, rural and remote communities along the east shore of Kootenay Lake in BC brought residents together using an Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach