BARRY O’RIORDAN
COWICHAN VALLEY – Another year is in the books, and what a year it’s been. 2024 brought challenges, opportunities, and milestones that underscored what makes the Cowichan region unique: its people, its landscapes, and its enduring spirit of ingenuity and perseverance. At Economic Development Cowichan (EDC), we’ve had the privilege of collaborating with local entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and community organizations to navigate an ever-evolving economic landscape. Here’s a glimpse of what we accomplished together this year.
Milestones and Moments
Some milestones are easy to measure, like launching our annual State of the Cowichan Economy Report, which painted a clear picture of where we stand and where we’re heading. The Report is a comprehensive snapshot of our region’s economic health and opportunities. Others are less tangible but no less impactful—like supporting the evolution of Cowichan’s Workforce Housing Strategy. Addressing the critical need for workforce housing remained a top priority at EDC. The Workforce Housing Strategy, now in its final review, promises to deliver actionable solutions in collaboration with our municipal and community partners. This strategy is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together. Additionally, we helped the public and businesses navigate new provincial short-term rental regulations in the CVRD, balancing the needs of homeowners, visitors, and the local economy.
Our work this year also delved into the nitty-gritty details that drive sustainable economic development. Our focus on tourism included developing an Accommodation Needs Assessment Study in partnership with Tourism Cowichan to better understand market gaps and opportunities. The study will be completed early in the new year. This work is essential as we aim to attract third-party developers and enrich visitor experiences. Complementing these efforts, the CVRD Sport Tourism function continued to strengthen Cowichan’s position as a destination for both athletes and spectators.
2024 also marked an exciting year for Film Cowichan, as we began updating our location database, ensuring that our region is film-friendly and ready for business. By enhancing our database, we’re aiming to position Cowichan as a top choice for filmmakers seeking diverse locations and seamless production support. These efforts, combined with BC’s new film tax incentives and competitive advantages, make Cowichan an ideal destination for productions of all scales.
Meanwhile, we deepened our support for Cowichan’s agricultural community through partnerships with Vancouver Island University’s Agriculture Program and their hiring of a dedicated Agricultural Coordinator. These efforts affirm our region’s identity as a hub for innovation and excellence in sustainable agriculture. This year we also showed our support at the annual Islands Agricultural Show, celebrating the backbone of our local economy. The event was not just a showcase but a gathering of minds committed to advancing agricultural practices, food security, and community resilience.
Among the initiatives we supported this year, Project Zero’s Circular Economy Accelerator Program stood out for its dedication to circular economy principles. Supporting local businesses in reducing waste and reimagining materials has positioned Cowichan as a leader in sustainable innovation.
As we work toward the development of a new Economic Development Cowichan Strategic Plan, 2024 was also marked by extensive business and community engagement. In collaboration with Lionsgate Consulting, we hosted industry-specific, tailored focus groups with key stakeholders, facilitated interactive workshops, conducted one-on-one in-depth interviews, and launched a comprehensive business and community survey. We also ensured diverse perspectives by engaging with youth through a dedicated survey and fostering meaningful dialogue with First Nations. These efforts are helping us shape a strategic plan that will address the priorities, challenges, and opportunities facing the region.
Celebrating Cowichan Changemakers
Our Changemaker Profiles showcased four extraordinary local enterprises leading with vision and purpose:
- PlentiFILL has been at the forefront of the refillery movement, exemplifying how small businesses can reduce waste and inspire sustainable lifestyles.
- Remedy Eco Design proved that innovation and sustainability go hand in hand, pushing boundaries in eco-conscious construction and design.
- BioFlame Briquettes Ltd. demonstrated the power of clean energy solutions, using cutting-edge technology to transform wood waste into sustainable fuel.
- Cow-Op highlighted the power of local food systems, providing an online marketplace that connects farmers with consumers to ensure fresh, sustainable, and local food reaches every corner of the Cowichan Valley.
Each of these Changemakers reminded us that local entrepreneurs are not just business leaders but agents of transformation.
What Comes Next
As we close the chapter on 2024, we extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to these successes—business owners, community leaders, and residents alike. Together, we’ve planted seeds of progress that will bloom for years to come.
Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to finalize our updated Strategic Plan. This plan will guide our path forward, ensuring that we remain focused on priorities that matter most to our community and that align with the CVRD’s Corporate Strategic Plan. We are also preparing for a Cowichan Workforce Summit in early 2025- a collaborative effort between EDC, industry, and non-profit leaders that will bring together stakeholders to develop a framework for worker retention and talent attraction in the region.
Furthermore, we’ve applied for funding through the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure program to support the implementation of the Cowichan Tech Strategy and the development of a Cowichan Tech and Innovation Ecosystem. These initiatives represent our commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and economic resilience in the years to come.
Collaboration remains our guiding principle. It’s in working together that we find strength—the partnerships that help us navigate the complexities of regional economic development and in the shared visions of a sustainable, prosperous Cowichan.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a farmer, a business leader, or simply someone who loves this place, you are the heart of what we do. The Cowichan Valley is more than a region; it’s a community that thrives on collaboration and care. As we look to 2025, we do so with optimism and a shared vision for an even brighter future.
Here’s to another year of possibility, growth, and connection.
With heartfelt thanks from the Economic Development Cowichan Team, Barry O’Riordan, Manager; Brittany Taylor, Analyst; Judy Mills, Administrator; Nicole Rallis, Special Projects Assistant and Bev Suderman, Part-time Analyst