North Cowichan has established its first economic development committee in more than 10 years, with a mandate to facilitate socially and environmentally responsible community economic development within the municipality.
The three-person committee, consisting of Mayor Rob Douglas and councillors Bruce Findlay and Chris Istace, will work closely with Economic Development Cowichan, an office of the Cowichan Valley Regional District, to ensure municipal and regional initiatives are coordinated.
Douglas said the decision to restart the committee shows the municipality is ready to use what tools it has to strengthen an already thriving local economy.
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“We are excited to start working with local businesses, industry, unions, non-profits, co-ops, farmers, and First Nations to identify economic development opportunities in the municipality,” he said.
“Over the coming months, we will draw upon input received from these partners, as well as other priorities identified at the municipality, to build our own economic development action plan; one that will encourage more high-quality and high-paying jobs, support a diverse range of sustainable businesses, provide a solid tax base, and benefit all residents.”
Douglas said the committee will be guided by North Cowichan’s Official Community Plan, which was adopted last summer, and includes a wide range of policies for strengthening the local economy, with an emphasis on taking a regenerative approach that results in sustainable economic development and protection of the environment for future generations.
Earlier this year, North Cowichan was successful in obtaining a $500,000 provincial grant from the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation’s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program to support exploring industrial land-servicing needs, as well as furthering other economic development initiatives.
robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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