Downtown Duncan recently created an insert, which went into the Citizen. This is a collection of stories about Duncan, Chemainus, Lake Cowichan and Ladysmith to promote Cowichan Valley.

It’s available on Google Drive.

Download it here »

We have some exciting news to share about a new made-in-Cowichan collaboration – Buy Local Cowichan website.

Joint initiative

Buy Local Cowichan, is an extension of the Cowichan Strong initiative, and demonstrates the commitment to Cowichan and its economic recovery, by your local business advocates. The members of Cowichan Strong include:

• Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce
• Downtown Duncan BIA
• Tourism Cowichan
• Economic Development Cowichan
• The Discourse
• Community Futures
• Chemainus BIA
• Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce
• Ladysmith Downtown Business Association

Buy Local Cowichan connects consumers to local businesses while COVID-19 restrictions are in place. Registered businesses can share information on their products for sale, services, hours of operations, and how to safely order and pick up.

Be Seen

We invite all Cowichan businesses to be showcased on Buy Local Cowichan.

By registering your business on the buy local page, your business is featured on a centralized and community-endorsed tool, giving you the opportunity to reach new and existing customers. Businesses can input a description of products, services, hours and contact information. This helps customers by providing a comprehensive, and up-to-date, catalogue of opportunities to buy local.

This website is a part of a larger marketing campaign to connect consumers with local businesses and support economic recovery from COVID-19 pandemic.

Buy Local Cowichan was officially launched on May 20th. It will be promoted on partners’ Facebook pages, webpages, and local media to encourage people to shop locally.

Register Now

Register your business with Buy Local Cowichan today, to reach the thousands of locals looking to spend locally, and help Cowichan recover from COVID-19.

About Cowichan Strong

Cowichan Strong was created out of a desire to help businesses in the Cowichan community by sharing information on support and resources that are relevant to business owners and entrepreneurs.

June 2020 marks the 25th anniversary for Ladysmith Family and Friends (LaFF).

During this difficult time for everyone LaFF has been presented with an unprecedented opportunity by a generous local couple, Karen and Fred Green, owners of The Jailhouse Brewing Company, which is developing the old Ladysmith RCMP station.

“Karen and Fred Green invited me into their home for a virtual chat,” said Jacquie Neligan. “They have been friends of LaFF for years and wanted to know how they could help the families. When our Zoom visit was over, I had a promise of $25,000 so LaFF could purchase the technology to connect the families to LaFF programming and something else I think is unprecedented in philanthropy in BC, they have also pledged $100,000 in matching funds if LaFF can raise $25,000. That’s a four to one match and a tremendous opportunity for our family resource program.”

How does this Donation Plan work?

• Etransfer to ilovetolaff [at] shaw [dot] ca
• Donate by credit card via Canada Helps
• Mail cash or cheque to LaFF at P.O. Box 1830, Ladysmith, B.C. V9G 1B4

Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more.

An opportunity to raise $150,000 in this fashion does not come often. With the Green’s generous donation and 4:1 matching offer, there is a tremendous opportunity to elevate and transform a valuable community service that reaches thousands of participants each year. Please join our whole community in celebrating LaFF’s 25th Anniversary.

Tourism Vancouver Island is committed to supporting the survival of nearly 3,500 tourism businesses on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through the launch of the Vancouver Island Coastal Tourism Resiliency Program.

Beginning this week, the Vancouver Island Coastal Tourism Resiliency Program provides Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast tourism businesses (including Indigenous tourism businesses) with meaningful, hands-on guidance and support to navigate the immediate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and to work towards long-term resiliency.

The Vancouver Island Coastal Tourism Resiliency Program includes two components:

1. Tourism businesses will be paired with a Business Resiliency Specialist who, through a needs assessment consultation by phone, will facilitate customized support for each business that includes navigating available relief measures, resource links, answers to frequently asked questions and free appointments with program experts in finance, human resources, legal services and more. Program specialists will provide client care to each business through their entire journey to recovery.
2. A digital resource hub (www.victrp.ca), including regular webinars, information bulletins and additional resources.

To register for the program, tourism businesses on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast can visit the Vancouver Island Coastal Tourism Resiliency Program website at www.victrp.ca or call the program Help Line at 1-855-722-9036.