NOW OPEN! Cowichan Sport Tourism Event Grant Intake 2
We are pleased to announce that the CVRD Sports Tourism Event Grant is now accepting applications for events taking place from January to June 2026. The CVRD Sports Tourism Event Grant supports events that contribute to the vibrancy and economic growth of our...
New Funding Available: Up to $5,000 for Cowichan Businesses Exporting to the U.S.
Cowichan businesses exporting across the border now have access to a new funding program designed to make trade easier, smoother, and more cost-effective. The CUSMA Compliance Advisory Services Initiative (CCASI) is part of B.C.’s Export Navigator program and provides...
Tariffs, the goalposts continue to shift
At this point, tariff updates are starting to feel like a recurring column. If you’ve read one, you’ve read twenty — and yet, each new round seems to up the ante. The latest move from U.S. President Donald Trump, raising tariffs on Canadian goods from 25% to 35%, is...
Expand Your Business Globally: Apply Now for the Trade Accelerator Program
Are you ready to take your Cowichan-based business beyond the local market? The Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) is returning to Vancouver Island this fall, offering small and medium-sized enterprises a proven path to international expansion. Delivered by the Greater...
Introducing Ari Westhaver: Cowichan’s New Young Agrarians Land Matcher
In Cowichan, a region steeped in agricultural tradition, a quiet crisis is unfolding. As older generations of farmers approach retirement, the challenge of transitioning farmland to new, capable hands is becoming increasingly urgent. Enter Ari Westhaver, the new...
Film Cowichan Attracts New Production Activity to the Region
Lights, camera, Cowichan! The Cowichan region continues to draw film and television productions, thanks to its diverse landscapes, supportive communities, and strong coordination through Film Cowichan. Two recent productions have generated meaningful economic benefits...
BC Hydro Policy Change Reduces Development Costs and Boosts Electrification in Cowichan
On July 5, 2025, BC Hydro implemented a major policy change that will reduce the cost of connecting new or upgraded electrical service. This is great news for residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments across Cowichan. Historically, developers and property...
What the Latest Trade Shifts Mean for Cowichan Businesses
Since January 2025, Canada–U.S. trade relations have been marked by mounting tension and rapid developments. On February 1, the United States announced plans to impose sweeping tariffs, including a 25 percent levy on most Canadian imports and 10 percent on energy...
Free Digital Marketing Training Available for Cowichan Professionals
In the Cowichan region, where agriculture, small business, and manufacturing are at the heart of the local economy, digital marketing skills are more important than ever. The Digital Marketing Skills Canada (DMSC) program is a fully funded opportunity designed to help...
Have Your Say Cowichan: Help Make B.C. a Better Place to Do Business
Cowichan business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to take part in a new provincial survey aimed at reducing red tape and improving the business climate in British Columbia. The Province has launched an “ease-of-doing-business” review to better understand the...
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