The Municipality of North Cowichan is advancing key initiatives to support industrial growth and attract new investment. Work is underway to improve servicing for industrial lands, and a new revitalization tax exemption program now provides significant tax relief for major industrial projects. In addition, North Cowichan council has begun developing a dedicated municipal economic development program that will support its new Economic Development Action Plan and transitions away from the regional district’s shared service.
“We are taking deliberate steps to strengthen North Cowichan’s economy and expand our industrial tax base,” said Mayor Rob Douglas. “From servicing industrial lands to launching our own economic development program, North Cowichan is committed to attracting investment, creating opportunities for businesses and supporting high-paying jobs for local workers.”
Expanded industrial water servicing
Earlier this year, North Cowichan received $500,000 in grant funding through the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth’s Rural Economic Development Infrastructure Program. This funding will support detailed design work and refined cost estimates needed to make industrial-zoned lands off Highway 18 shovel-ready. Extending municipal water service to this area will unlock new development opportunities and help attract additional industrial taxpayers.
This work includes planning for a new pump station, upgraded and new trunk mains, a new concrete water reservoir, and a new pressure-reducing valve station. These upgrades will also support future residential and commercial development in the Bell McKinnon and Berkey’s Corner growth centres.
Tax exemptions available for large scale industrial investment
On November 19, Council adopted a new Revitalization Tax Exemption (RTE) bylaw to encourage industrial investment, create jobs, and strengthen the local economy.
Under the program, qualifying industrial projects valued at $2 million or more may receive a 100% exemption on the improvement portion of municipal property taxes for up to 5 years, followed by a 50% exemption for the next five years. The bylaw applies to all industrial-zoned lands in North Cowichan, including the Cowichan Valley Highway Industrial Area, Crofton, the Chemainus Industrial Park, the Chemainus Waterfront Industrial Area and the Tansor Industrial Area (excluding the Chemainus Benchlands).
North Cowichan Council hopes this program will spur investment in new industrial buildings and production facilities on under-utilized and vacant industrial lands, particularly as companies navigate challenges in forestry sector and uncertainty related to U.S. tariffs.
A new economic plan and direction for North Cowichan
In May, North Cowichan approved a new Economic Development Action Plan, its first in over a decade. The plan was developed through extensive research, consultation with businesses, local business support organizations, First Nations, and input from the Economic Development Committee chaired by Mayor Douglas. It identifies five strategic priorities focused on improving the business climate, supporting resilience of traditional industries, nurturing emerging economic opportunities, enhancing sense of place, and advancing regenerative economic principles.
Two major initiatives are already underway: streamlining the development approval process and exploring the extension of water servicing to Highway 18 industrial lands. Reports on both are expected in the coming weeks. Funding the plan’s remaining actions will be considered through future budget processes.
In October, Council took the first step in transitioning away from the Cowichan Valley Regional District’s (CVRD) economic development service. Establishing a municipal-led approach will position North Cowichan to better support economic investment, prepare industrial lands, improve infrastructure servicing, and strengthen partnerships in key sectors such as manufacturing and health care.