Sonja Nagel is Executive Director of the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce
The Duncan Cowichan Chamber in collaboration with Economic Development Cowichan and Community Futures Cowichan launched a new website in response to businesses reaching out about programs to help their business during COVID-19.
#CowichanStrong initiative was launched to provide a one stop source for the Cowichan Valley business community. This centralized website is designed to share relevant information on the support and resources available in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Phase one was launched as a “toolkit” of emerging supports for business owners and entrepreneurs. As we expand our partners for this initiative, and learn more about challenges facing businesses, we will shift our focus to provide valuable resources to support economic recovery and resilience in Cowichan
We are all in this together. Please visit https://cowichanstrong.ca.
The Chamber also launched a new facebook page ‘Business NOT As Usual Cowichan’ for businesses to post their open hours and adapted services during this crisis. Businesses across the entire Cowichan Valley are welcome to join and post on this page. It’s a great way to support local and connect community and business.
There are some good news stories from the Cowichan.
Stillhead Distillery and Ampersand Distilling Company are kept busy producing hand sanitizer from alcohol normally used for spirits. They are actively donating sanitizer to those that need it, and also produce hand sanitizer for purchase. Stillhead Distillery is also using unsellable beer donated from Vancouver Island Brewing to distill and bottle as hand sanitizer. These generous donations have been welcomed in the community,
In Cowichan an initiative called “Project Draw Breath” is being led by Live Edge Design in using 3D printer technology to manufacture plastic face shields to help the medical community. The team which began with just three members on March 23 has now expanded to 10 experts in a number of related fields. They are working on a number of new projects intended to help hospitals and medical facilities get through the crisis.
Sonja Nagel is the Executive Director of the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce. http://www.duncancc.bc.ca/