Our purpose
Economic Development Cowichan is the economic development arm of the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD). The CVRD is governed by a 15-member board comprised of appointed directors from four municipalities (North Cowichan, Duncan, Ladysmith, and Lake Cowichan) and an elected director from each of the nine electoral areas.
Economic Development Cowichan is a part of the CVRD’s Land Use Services Division, and a key part of our mandate is to build connections between community, business, and local government. Working in collaboration with our regional economic development partners, we focus on:
- Strengthening the regional economy by supporting and attracting businesses and sector development
- Strengthening communities through engagement and support for community-based initiatives
- Communicating the advantages of living, working and investing in Cowichan
Our people
Amy Melmock
manager
Since arriving at Economic Development Cowichan in August 2016, Amy has focused on building relationships with local community and business leaders and creating key sector strategies for the region. Committed to building an innovative and sustainable future for Cowichan, she is currently involved in developing the Cowichan Tech Strategy and an Industrial Land Use Action Plan. In collaboration with the CVRD’s Land Use Services Division, Amy is developing new agricultural initiatives for Cowichan that will serve the evolving needs of local farmers and value-added producers. She is also part of the Project Management Team behind Cowichan 2050, a project aimed at forging new bonds between local government and community.
Judy Mills
administrative coordinator
Judy has been managing the administrative needs of Economic Development Cowichan for the past 13 years. As a first point of contact at Economic Development Cowichan, Judy helps connect residents, newcomers and business people with local government and community service organizations.
Janae Enns
Special Projects Assistant
Janae is a graduate from the Master of Community Planning program at Vancouver Island University and has previously worked with Economic Development Cowichan as a planning intern. Since stepping into her new role at Economic Development Cowichan in April 2018, Janae is responsible for assisting with a variety of strategic projects including the Industrial Land Use Action Plan and implementing recommendations that have stemmed from the recently released Cowichan Tech Strategy.
Our plan
Economic Development Cowichan is guided by the Corporate Plan of the CVRD and by its own 2018-2021 Strategic Plan.
Film Cowichan
Film Cowichan operates under the umbrella of Economic Development Cowichan and is the first stop for all film enquiries in the region.
Film Cowichan works in collaboration with the South Island Film Commission in Victoria, the North Island Film Commission (INFilm) in Campbell River, and Creative BC to attract film productions to the Island and to provide a seamless service for productions and commercials that are filming here.
Our activities include promotion of the Cowichan film locations, preparation of online location packages, assistance with scouting and permitting, liaising with local municipalities and business organizations and supporting local film initiatives. For assistance with filming in the region, please contact:
Laura Jennifer Leppard
Film Coordinator, Film Cowichan
250.732.1419
lauraleppard@gmail.com
Tax Credits and Local Film Locations
The Cowichan region is eligible for a full range BC film tax credits. Visit the Creative BC website for tax credit incentive information.
An extensive library of Cowichan film locations is available on Creative BC’s Reel Scout website.
Cowichan Film Activity
Because of its proximity and easy access to major film centres in Vancouver and LA, Cowichan has become home to renowned independent film producers, technical crews and ancillary businesses that provide service to the film industry. The Vancouver-based digital animation company Bron Studios has a satellite office in Duncan employing nearly a dozen animators from around the world.
Recent film activities in Cowichan have included the 2017 production “Light of My Life,” directed by Academy Award winning actor Casey Affleck. During the past decade, more than two dozen productions filmed here, accounting for more than $145 million in economic spin-offs for the region.
Did You Know?
- The ferry scenes in the ground-breaking 1970’s film “Five Easy Pieces” were shot on the Mill Bay-Brentwood Bay ferry linking Cowichan to Saanich, Vancouver Island
- The Hollywood blockbuster Godzilla was filmed locally
- 22 episodes of the television series “Spooksville” were shot in Cowichan
- Documentaries for National Geographic and the Discovery Channel have been made here
Forms for Filmmakers
Local and visiting producers filming in the Cowichan region are required to review and complete the following forms:
- Film Cowichan Film Guidelines
- CVRD Film Permit Application 2017
- Film Cowichan Resident Letter Template
- Film Cowichan Worksheet
- Film Cowichan Street Use Request Form
Contact us
Economic Development Cowichan is located in the Community Futures Building in downtown Duncan, just a few blocks from the Cowichan Valley Regional District headquarters.
Economic Development Cowichan
135 Third Street
Duncan, BC V9L 1R9
250.746.7880
Cowichan Valley Regional District
175 Ingram Street
Duncan, BC V9L 1N8
250.746.2500
1.800.665.3955
Media Enquiries
Kris Schumacher
Manager of Communications and Engagement
Cowichan Valley Regional District
Email: kris.schumacher@cvrd.bc.ca
250.746.2635
1.800.665.3955
Get notified
Receive a notification for updated news and events.
135 Third Street
Duncan, BC
Canada V9L 1R9
edc@cvrd.bc.ca
T 250.746.7880
TF 1.866.746.2508
Economic
Development
Cowichan
Economic
Development
Cowichan
135 Third Street
Duncan, BC
Canada V9L 1R9
edc@cvrd.bc.ca
T 250.746.7880
TF 1.866.746.2508