To assess progress towards business recovery in Cowichan and to inform regional recovery efforts, Economic Development Cowichan has launched the second in a series of COVID-19 business surveys.
The survey follows up on Survey #1 which was conducted in May and found that more than 50% of Cowichan businesses had temporarily or indefinitely shut down, while 65% had seen revenue decreases of at least 75%.
Survey #1 results informed the economic response and recovery efforts of CowichanStrong, a partnership of business support organizations formed in response to COVID-19. One such recovery action included the launch of the #BuyLocalCowichan initiative, comprising a website (showing what businesses are open), a cross-platform marketing campaign, and support for Island Good branding in Cowichan.
“To say a lot has changed since May is an understatement. Now one month into Phase 3 of the BC Restart Plan, Cowichan businesses, farmers, and non-profits are facing a new set of challenges and risks, as well as opportunities to build resiliency” said Barry O’Riordan, Manager of Economic Development Cowichan. “The Post Disaster Needs Assessment #2 will help assess progress towards recovery, as well as inform additional regional-level actions and initiatives to build back better.”
All Cowichan based businesses – from industrial, tech, tourism, artists, agriculture, and non-profits – are encouraged to complete the survey.
The survey will remain active until August 19, 2020.
This is the second of a series of surveys that will be shared periodically to assess the economic recovery progress on a local level.
