Our blog

News release - Vancouver Island Coast Economic Developers Association (VICEDA) VANCOUVER ISLAND – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JULY 7, 2023 – The Circular Economy Accelerator Program concluded its pilot last month, spurring the transition to a sustainable, resilient economy...

Build resiliency into your business with help from the Rural Advisory Program Recognizing the importance of small and medium sized business in our regional economy, Community Futures Central Island has launched a program for businesses that provides free one-on-one...

Island Health and Our Cowichan Communities Health Network (OCCHN) have launched a first-of-its-kind health and wellness survey for residents of Cowichan Valley. The goal of the Our Health, Our Community survey is to capture local data on the health and well-being of...

A recently published Cannabis in the Cowichan Valley report provides a baseline from which to track the emerging legal industry in the region, as well as recommendations for supporting local businesses as they mature. Non-medical cannabis was legalized in Canada in...

As wildfires continue to impact Vancouver Island, we would like to remind businesses of the British Columbia Economic Development Association's (BCEDA) resource: Top 10 Steps to Prepare Your Business for Evacuation. Now is a great time to review your business’s...

Economic Development Cowichan recently hosted a series of invite-only workshops to discuss targetted workforce housing solutions for Cowichan: short-term rental regulations, a potential Cowichan housing authority, and accelerated workforce housing solutions. Feedback...

Economic Development Cowichan (EDC) is seeking to hire a full-time Special Projects Assistant for up to 12 months to support economic diversification, as well as a casual Economic Development Analyst with a community planning background. The temporary Special Projects...

Vancouver Island Coast Economic Developers Association (VICEDA) is hosting a free webinar series on the Circular Economy this spring, in partnership with Synergy Foundation. The VICEDA Circular Economy Webinar Series is part of the Circular Economy Accelerator...

Five Cowichan region governments have been successful in obtaining funding from the new Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) through the BC Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation (JEDI). In November 2022, the Government of...

The newly completed Cowichan Internet & Cellular Connectivity Strategy identifies gaps in connectivity infrastructure and services in the region, and provides recommended actions for addressing them with the aim of meeting our needs long into the future. The...