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Stats Canada Releases June Labour Force Survey: The survey highlights positive signs of recovery in the BC economy.  According to the data, the number of people employed in BC rose by 118,000 in June, following an increase of 43,000 in May.  These gains have brought back around 40 per cent of the total job losses seen in BC since February. View June Labour Force Survey View Minister’s Statement...

British Columbians shopping for a bottle of BC wine will see a new area recognized for their grape-growing and winemaking on the label – the Cowichan Valley. The Cowichan Valley is being recognized as a new sub-geographical indication (sub-GI), an official and protected term under B.C. law used to help consumers identify B.C. wines’ origins. The Cowichan Valley sub-GI is roughly defined as the area between the Cowichan watershed, the eastern coastline from Mill Bay to Maple Bay and the western...

FREE Tool and Programs to Support Cowichan Businesses Island Good License - Cowichan businesses making local products can get a free marketing boost from the Island Good Program. Economic Development Cowichan and Community Futures Cowichan have partnered with the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) to offer local producers a free Island Good license. VIEA developed the Island Good brand program as a way for shoppers to easily identify local food products on grocery shelves. According to...

FREE Island Good Licenses – Cowichan businesses making local products can get a free marketing boost from the Island Good Program. Economic Development Cowichan and Community Futures Cowichan have partnered with the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) to offer local producers a free Island Good license. VIEA developed the Island Good brand program as a way for shoppers to easily identify local food products on grocery shelves. According to BC Buy Local, for every $100 spent at a local...

Cowichan COVID-19 Business Survey #1 results are in: In response to the unparalleled impacts of COVID-19, the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) and its Cowichan Strong partners have compiled the results of an initial survey to assess the effects of the pandemic on the local business community.  The full results of the COVID-19 Post Disaster Needs Assessment Survey can be reviewed on the CVRD website. This was the first of a series of surveys that will be shared with the business...

Business Re-Open Toolkit: Cowichan Strong has designed a Re-Open Toolkit for businesses using the Buy Local Cowichan brand and colors.  The toolkit includes print ready signage templates for occupancy, front entry checklist and social distancing floor stickers.  These templates are free for all local Cowichan businesses to use and can be found on the Cowichan Strong website or at local print shops throughout the region.  Buylocalcowichan.ca: Be sure and register your business, to reach the...