FAQs

Economic Development Cowichan (EDC) is a regional function operating as part of the Strategic Services Department of the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD). A key part of EDC’s mandate is to build connections between community, business, and local government. Working in collaboration with regional economic development partners, it focuses on:

• Strengthening the regional economy by supporting and attracting businesses and sector development
• Strengthening communities through engagement and support for community-based initiatives
• Communicating the advantages of living, working and investing in Cowichan

Learn more on our website at https://www.ecdevcowichan.com/.

EDC’s work is guided by the EDC Strategic Plan and the CVRD Corporate Strategic Plan. The current EDC Strategic Plan (2018-2022) was developed in 2018 following significant stakeholder consultations and has guided the work of EDC since that time. However, much has changed since 2018, including a shift in the broader economic landscape as a result of COVID-19, and a deepening understanding of how economic development can support economic reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, promote equity, and respond to climate change. New priorities have emerged, such as labour and workforce housing shortages, to which EDC has begun to respond.

The CVRD Corporate Strategic Plan (2023-2026) identifies the need to update the Economic Development Cowichan Strategic Plan to build on the strengths we have, and to emphasize:

• the need for new investment in employment-creating industries to help the Cowichan Region thrive;
• opportunities aimed at building the region’s economic diversification and resiliency;
• the ongoing importance of innovation in agriculture and other foundational industries of the Cowichan Region;
• opportunities to partner with First Nations in the pursuit of shared objectives and joint ventures; and
• opportunities associated with major projects such as the hospital.

The Economic Development Cowichan Strategic Plan will provide clear and thoughtful focus for EDC’s activities over the next five years, considering regional and sub-regional priorities.