Regional Statistics & Research Update

Construction & Real Estate

Source: VIREB Monthly Sales Report, CMHC Housing Report

Labour Force

Source: BC Stats Labour Market Statistics

Tourism

Source: BC Ferries Monthly Traffic Report (Little River Ferry), Vancouver Island Visitor Centre (VIVC) Monthly Report, Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) Monthly Passengers Totals

Consumer Price Index

Source: BC Stats CPI Monthly Data Tables

Comox Valley Economic Development's (CVEDS) services include the collection and provision of economic data and statistics about the region. To view additional resources click here .

Update: Innovate 2030 Economic Development Master Plan

Thank you to the hundreds of businesses, industry associations and partners that engaged in the creation of the Innovate 2030 Economic Development Master Plan. The preliminary draft was presented to the Comox Valley Regional District Committee of the Whole on Tuesday November 26 by the three consulting teams. Click here to view the presentation and learn more.

Thank You - Business, Banter and Beers Meet-up Participants

Comox Valley Economic Development, together with the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, hosted three Meet-ups with a range of business owners and leaders in Saratoga Beach, Union Bay and the Puntledge business area in Courtenay, to explore challenges, opportunities and potential new business services that would support these distinct areas. Thank you to all those that attended and contributed!

Google My Business Program – Book Your Appointment for 2020

In 2019 CVEDS became a Google Trusted Verifier DMO Partner, to help support regional businesses to be digitally ready and visible across key online search engines like Google and TripAdvisor. CVEDS is working with local businesses to get them started with “My Google Business”. This program is helping businesses optimize their listing by updating business information, responding to Google reviews, post notices and events on their listing. The CVEDS team will also take 360-degree photos to further enhance the listing in Google. Click here for more information or click here to book your appointment.

Food Business Planning – 2 Day Workshop

Funded by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, in partnership with the Small Scale Food Processor Association (SSFPA) and delivered by the Farm Food Drink team of specialists, the Food Processor Business Planning Workshop is a 2 day, 9 module workshop series that covers: The Business Plan, Marketing, Product Development, and more!

Ideal for micro, small, and medium-sized food processors looking to improve and/or expand their operations, and farmers looking for value-added. For more information about the session, click here .

When: January 23-24 | Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm | Where: Vancouver Island Visitor Centre

January is Accessibility Month at SBBC

Small Business BC is excited to ann ounce their inaugural Accessibility Month, coming up in January 2020.

Join them with access to over 20 seminars and webinars, all with in-person ASL interpretation. A variety of topics will be covered, from business planning to financial management to market research. 

All seminars are available at Small Business BC in Vancouver, or by webinar province-wide, SBBC is in partnership with the  Office of Small and Medium Enterprises   and the  Community Futures Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program .

Survey launched to gauge Comox Valley business climate

The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, Comox Valley Economic Development (CVEDS), Cumberland Economic Development and MNP LLP have partnered to launch the third edition of a survey to assess the local business climate and economic outlook in the Comox Valley.

Modelled after similar surveys conducted by MNP in other communities across Canada, the MNP Business Leaders Survey is a short pulse survey conducted by telephone with a sample of 200 local business leaders. The goal is to provide an economic snapshot on a range of topics including business climate, hiring intentions, growth expectations, key challenges and other local issues. 

Results of the survey will be released at an economic outlook breakfast hosted by the Chamber. Tickets for the event can be purchased on the Chamber website . 

When: January 16 | Time: 7:30 am - 9:00 am | Where:  Crown Isle Resort & Golf Club

Have Your Say on Regional Housing Needs

The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) in partnership with the City of Courtenay, Town of Comox and Village of Cumberland are undertaking a housing needs assessment for the region and want to hear from you.

Your experiences with the rental market, housing affordability, real estate market and other challenges being faced will help guide future development and housing strategies for the region.  Click here f or the survey.

2020 Small Business BC Awards Top 10 Semi-Finalists



Congratulations to 40 Knots Winery for making it to the semi-finals of the 17th Annual Small Business BC Awards in the Best Employer Category. The Top 10 semi-finalists will be given just less than one month to provide an expert panel of judges a detailed application outlining why they deserve to win the award they’ve been nominated for. These applications will be used to decide the Top 5 Finalists, who will be officially announced on J anuary 20, 2020. To read more about the award or to see who else made it to the semi-finals, click here .