JANUARY 2016
   
Business Counts - January 2016
Regional Statistics & Research Update

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

50 single-family homes sold in the Comox Valley in December 2015, 5 more than December 2014. Year-to-date single-family unit sales are up to 814 from 62, a 7% increase over 2014. The average single-family unit selling price for December 2015 was $344,376, a 2% decrease over December 2014.
Source: VIREB December Graph Stats Comox Valley 

Comox Valley building permit values in November 2015 totaled $10.1 million, a 98.4% increase over November 2014. Year-to-date building permit values are at $141 million, a 63.2% increase over the same period in 2014. Comox Valley continues to have the largest year-to-date growth over 2014 of any regional district on Vancouver Island, and second largest in BC. The City of Courtenay has $87.5 million in building permits January - November 2015, a 131.7% increase over the same period in 2014. The Town of Comox had $16.3 million, a 15.9% increase, Comox Valley Regional District had $34 million, a 17.3% increase, and the Village of Cumberland had $4 million, a 33.1% decrease. 
Source: BC Stats BC Building Permit Report  

   
   
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Tourism & Transportation

The Vancouver Island Visitor Centre saw an 5.83% increase in true visitors in 2015 over 2014. Comox Valley Airport saw 351,530 passengers in 2015, the highest amount of any year since the airport's opening. This was 32,700 more passenegers than 2014, a 10.3% increase. Additional Hotel Room Tax Revenue was up 17.8% in October over the same month last year, and is up 5.78% so far in 2015 over the same period in 2014.
Sources: Vancouver Island Visitor Centre, Comox Valley Airport Commission

 
employment
Labour Force
 
The BC unemployment rate increased from 6.2% in November 2015 to 6.7% in December 2015. The labour force grew by 0.2%*, the participation rate grew by 0.1%*, the number of employed fell 0.3%* and the number of unemployed grew 8.8%* November to December. The Vancouver Island/Coast Development region's 3-month moving average unemployment rate saw a 0.1% increase from 6.3% to 6.4% in December over November, with an increase of 2,200 jobs.
Source: Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey, Highlights prepared by BC Stats 
* Seasonally Adjusted 
 
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Consumer Price Index 
 
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in BC rose 1.9% in December 2015 over December 2014.
When energy is excluded, the measure increases to 2.1%, but falls to 1.6% when food is excluded. The CPI in metropolitan areas of BC, Victoria and Vancouver, rose 1.7% and 2.3% respectively. Canada's CPI increased by 1.6% in November, with B.C having the highest increase (1.9%) and Prince Edward Island having the lowest (0.9%).
Source: Statistics Canada Consumer Price Index, Highlights prepared by BC Stats  
 
news
News & Events

Comox Valley Businesses Successful at Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards
 
3 of the 5 Comox Valley Businesses nominated won awards at the Vancouver Island business Excellence awards in Nanaimo . Hollie Wood Oysters won Agriculture/Aquaculture Business of the Year, Cumberland Brewing Company won Entrepreneur of the Year, and Level 10 Euro Spa won Retail Business of the Year. Congratulations! 

Ministry of International Trade Regional Outreach Seminar

March 10, 2016; 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Copper Room - Crow Isle Resort & Golf Community

A morning and lunch program covering a range of topics relating to international trade which will benefit both small and large exporters. To learn more,
please contact Geoff Crawford: [email protected] - 250-334-2427 x 224
 
Islands Agriculture Show

February 12-13, 2016 
Cowichan Exhibition Park
 
The 2016 Islands Agriculture Show (IAS) is the only agricultural trade show and conference serving the farm and food community on Vancouver Island, bringing together farmers, rural landowners, farm organizations equipment dealers, service providers and the general public.

Comox Valley Economic Development (CVEDS) will be attending the IAS as an exhibitor; If you are interested in showcasing your product at the show with CVEDS, please contact Geoff Crawford: [email protected] - 250-334-2427 x 224