Our blog

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to upcoming funding opportunities for non-profits and businesses in the Cowichan region. In an era shaped by the challenges of climate change and the ever-evolving landscape of tourism, agriculture and other critical business...

B.C. Fairs, Festivals, and Events Fund The Province is providing $15 million in one-time grants to eligible events through the B.C. Fairs, Festivals and Events Fund. Event organizers will be able to tackle ongoing challenges that the Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports...

The Islands Agricultural Show (IAS) is coming to Cowichan Exhibition Park in Duncan on Friday, February 2 and Saturday, February 3. The IAS is the only agricultural trade show serving the farm and food community on Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and the Gulf...

The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF) is helping create more than 640 jobs and protect over 1000 existing manufacturing jobs throughout B.C. The funding program aims to promote economic diversification and complement other supports for forestry workers and rural...

This month David Miller, Board Chair of BC Infrastructure Benefits (BCIB), gave an update to the CVRD and member municipalities about local employment statistics and the Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project (CDHRP). BCIB is a provincial Crown corporation...

In December 2023, the Malahat Nation and Vancouver-based company Energy Plug announced that they are joining forces to build a 100,000 sq ft. battery assembly and storage facility inside Malahat's 52-acre business park. This will be the first Indigenous-led...

Synergy Foundation is seeking early-stage start-ups and established businesses and non-profits with new ideas for sustainable products or services to join their sixth cohort of the Project Zero Incubator Program. Accepted participants will receive support to write...

Dear members of the Cowichan community, As we bid farewell to another incredible year, we’re thrilled to have you join us on this journey of reflection and celebration of the work Economic Development Cowichan (EDC) has accomplished in 2023. At the beginning of 2023,...

The Vancouver Island University Centre for Experiential Learning and Career Studio recently launched an employer directory. The directory compiles businesses and organizations from all industries across Vancouver Island and Canada, connecting VIU students and...

As the overall cost of living continues to rise and the housing crisis and labour shortage worsen, Cowichan’s regional living wage has climbed to $25.20 per hour for 2023. This marks an increase of 7.1 per cent from last year, when the living wage was set at $23.53...