The Municipality of North Cowichan is preparing to withdraw from the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) economic-development service and will develop a transition strategy.
At its Oct. 15 meeting, council agreed to issue a notice of intent for withdrawal after reviewing the regional district’s service evaluation. The CVRD review assessed the value of economic-development services provided to member municipalities.
According to council, the CVRD presented a review of the economic development to the municipality, which includes an assessment of the service’s value to the municipality.
A staff report indicates North Cowichan currently puts a significant amount of money into the CVRD’s plan, and now it is time to implement their own.
“North Cowichan funds 34 per cent ($232,235 in 2025) of the cost of the regional service,” the report says.
The municipality’s Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP) outlines several strategic priorities for the community, which the report says will amplify impacts in infrastructure development, workforce training, tourism promotion, and the advancement of a circular economy.
“It’s aligned with the Official Community Plan,” the report says. “The strategy emphasizes achieving economic growth, while respecting ecological boundaries, addressing social equity and creating resilience in the face of economic and environmental challenges.”
North Cowichan implemented their own plan in May.
