BARRY O’RIORDAN
COWICHAN VALLEY – In response to the unprecedented economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the region, Economic Development Cowichan has developed a regional recovery dashboard of indicators to track progress towards recovery.
The report reveals that some sectors of the Cowichan regional economy have been hard hit by the pandemic, while others are doing well. Tourism in particular has suffered over the last ten months. While employment levels across Vancouver Island have rebounded well, some residents are still struggling. Affordable housing and overall real estate inventory continue to be issues for the region.
“This series of quarterly dashboards will provide the data needed to make informed decisions and create effective recovery programs tailored to the needs of the Cowichan Valley,” said Barry O’Riordan, Manager of Economic Development Cowichan.
The Cowichan Regional Recovery Dashboard – January 2021 can be found on Economic Development Cowichan’s website at ecdevcowichan.com.
This is the first in an ongoing series of recovery dashboards that Economic Development Cowichan will publish quarterly to help inform and guide the recovery efforts of local government, community organizations, businesses, and others. The next dashboard will be published in April 2021.
Barry O’Riordan is Manager of Economic Development Cowichan and can be reached at 250.709.1119 or barry.oriordan@cvrd.bc.ca