Community Futures Cowichan in partnership with Economic Development Cowichan and other community and First Nations stakeholders is leading the development of a plan to grow economic opportunities within the Cowichan Lake and the Western Region. The plan hones in on tourism and the products and infrastructure required to develop hiking, biking and marine sports into sustainable economic drivers. Ultimately, the goal is to support new jobs, incent new business start-ups and expansions and lengthen the tourism season.
“The region’s tourism potential has grown exponentially in the past few years, thanks to thousands of visitors attracted to the newly built Laketown Ranch outdoor entertainment venue and the Pacific Marine Circle Route,” explains Cathy Robertson, General Manager of Community Futures Cowichan. “This increased visibility has created a unique opportunity to leverage our natural assets into new tourism amenities that will keep these short-term visitors in the region longer and entice them to return.”