WELCOME Thank You for Coming Our Project Partners: Cathy Robertson – Community Futures Cowichan Amy Melmock – Economic Development Cowichan (CVRD) Sonja Nagel – Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce Peter van Dongen and Chris Duncan – MNP LLP

What We’ve Done Partners brought together business leaders in six industry sectors for a series of roundtables. More than 60 business leaders from across the Cowichan participated. This opened the door to a new level of dialogue with the local business community. SONJA – Highlight there was involvement from all parts of the region

Each sector told us their top three priorities. The Six Sectors Retail Manufacturing & Processing Construction & Real Estate Tourism Agriculture Technology & Innovation SONJA Each sector told us their top three priorities.

Retail Increase our customer base by attracting more people into the region Develop a cohesive brand and identity for the region Create a “Buy Local” awareness campaign RON – provide some lead-in; give specific examples of what we heard to support these priorities, i.e. who was in the room (types of businesses), broad mix/cross-section CAVEAT: Be Brief!

Tourism Increase collaboration amongst tourism operators Develop a cohesive brand and identity for the region Sell the Cowichan story to the world RON – provide specific examples and a what types of operators participated

Manufacturing & Processing Improve collaboration with local government Develop and retain a skilled, stable and experienced workforce Remove barriers to productivity, growth and expansion RON – provide examples round table summaries

Construction & Real Estate Develop better communication and collaboration with local government Create a unifying vision for the region Build an optimal mix of housing options to strengthen our economic base RON

Agriculture Streamline the local, provincial and federal regulatory environment Move beyond studies to initiate projects that create lasting results for producers Develop a labour recruitment and retention model RON – give some examples

Technology & Innovation Increase and improve connectivity Help attract and develop a talent pool of skilled workers for the sector Define who is working in the region’s tech sector, and who we want to attract in the future RON: mention this session was part of the lead-up to creating a Tech Strategy

The Common Threads Increase and improve collaboration and communication with local government Create a unifying vision for the region’s future Develop community infrastructure that supports economic development Identify and address labour challenges and solutions AMY – this will segue into the following slides

Local Government: Improving Service Delivery CVRD is streamlining the approval process through Bi-Weekly Board Meetings and hiring of a frontline Plan Review person. CVRD is the only Regional District in BC to ask for its own Approving Officer so that the development permit process can take place locally. AMY – introduce Speaker Brian Carruthers (CVRD) – he’ll have 2 MIN to address slide from panel table

Local Government: Community Consultations Town of Ladysmith hosted roundtable discussions with local builders and developers, and held a highly successful Waterfront Development consultation process. AMY – will introduce Speaker: Guillermo Ferroro (Town of Ladysmith) – he’ll have 2 MIN to speak to slide AMY: will contact Peter de Vertuille (City of Duncan) for info and possible panel participation

Local Government: Communication PlaceSpeak is a region-wide activity that all businesses can participate in. North Cowichan Tax Incentive information sessions with Chamber of Commerce, zoning reviews and town hall meetings. AMY: will introduce Speaker Natasha Horsman (North Cowichan) – will have 2 MIN to speak from panel table

Creating a Unifying Vision Cowichan 2050 aims at bringing together government, business and community to define shared values and create a shared vision. Vision 2050 will work in collaboration alongside the above process. Tourism Cowichan is creating a visual identity for the region. Economic Development Cowichan is positioning investment and lifestyle through a new website. AMY: will ask Brian Carruthers to speak to first two bullet points Amy will cover last two bullet points ADD TOURISM COWICHAN GRAPHIC/BRANDING

Community Infrastructure We need more affordable and attainable housing options for residents and workers. The Cowichan Housing Association is raising awareness of the need for affordable housing across the spectrum. AMY: Answer the question “Why should business folks care about this issue?” Terri Dame – 3 minute presentation

Labor Challenges and Solutions Creating a regional Labour and Employment Action Committee Newcomers and Immigrants are part of the labour solution The role of Vancouver Island University (VIU) in trades and skills training AMY: briefly highlight intention of LEA committee – create awareness of resources, identify labour shortages, share employer best practices for hiring/retaining workers Keith Chiquen to speak to VIU Priorities Cowichan Intercultural Society & Global Vocational Services – employment programs to support immigrants

What’s Next for the Project Partners? Community Futures Cowichan: Productivity Initiative, Export Navigator Program Economic Development Cowichan: Tech Study, Industrial Land Use Study, Forestry and Agriculture Projects Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce: Ongoing Advocacy MNP: 2017 VIEA State of the Island Economic Report, 2018 MNP Cowichan Business Leaders Survey Each partner to speak – how long? Peter will speak to Chris Duncan re: MNP bullet ADD “ANOTHER SURVEY/REPORT NEXT YEAR”?

Where do WE go from here? The Project Partners have formed a habit of working collaboratively together, consulting with our stakeholders and local government, to identify shared opportunities. All of us here today are in this together! We need you to meet us half-way…. CATHY – will lead the Q&A session; ask group, “What do you want to talk about?”; “Any burning questions?”; also script some questions to have in your back pocket Remind folks to complete the Evaluation Survey and take a copy of the Report with them. CARRIE: Create an Evaluation Survey, based on MNP model (PETER – send template to Carrie and Cathy) Was this session valuable? What was your #1 takeaway” Would you like more info on these initiatives? (Labour Action Committee, Affordable Housing, Cowichan 2050)