Douglas Weekly 2024

Douglas Weekly – Sep 9

September 9, 2024

Annie Dahan, founder of Seacork Studio. Photo: James MacDonald.

IN THE KNOW:

Applications open for COAST Pitchfest

Early stage ocean tech entrepreneurs are invited to apply for COAST‘s second Pitchfest competition.

Five finalists will present their business pitches for a $10,000 cash prize, a one-year COAST Navigator membership, and a chance to connect directly with potential investors.

Eligible applicants must be B.C.-based, in the pre-commercialization stage and operating within the blue economy. The deadline to enter is October 1.

Last April, Annie Dahan of Seacork Studio took first place with her groundbreaking seaweed-based biodegradable acoustic panels.

New program encourages tourism innovation

Destination British Columbia, 4TVI, Tourism Cowichan and the Tourism Innovation Lab have announced a new program to nurture innovative tourism ideas in the Cowichan Region.

The “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program will match selected applicants from the area with a tourism mentor, provide a $3,000 grant and additional partner support to help take their new tourism ideas to the next level of development.

The goal is to find, foster and support new tourism ideas, experiences and partnerships that will enhance current offerings, address gaps or challenges, motivate travel and longer stays, and increase year-round visits.

Applications are encouraged from entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations based in the Cowichan Region from September 5 to November 12. Following a review process, five finalists will be invited to a virtual Pitch Session where three winners will be selected.

The “Spark” Program was first launched in Ontario in 2018 by the Tourism Innovation Lab, and has now expanded to several regions across British Columbia.

August job report shows employment gains

The Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation says the despite slow economic growth across the country, Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows B.C. gained 9,800 private-sector jobs in August.

That’s an increase of 34,000 private-sector jobs since this time last year, the third largest increase among provinces. B.C. has also gained 48,000 full-time jobs since August 2023, the largest increase in full-time jobs among provinces.

Our unemployment rate is 5.8%, tied for the third-lowest unemployment rate among provinces and below the national average of 6.6%.

The Labour Force Survey data shows growth of jobs in wholesale and retail trade by 6,800 and, with a gain of 31,700 jobs in construction and 6,700 jobs in manufacturing compared to this time last year.

South Island Prosperity Partnership names new CEO

Three-time Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone will leave municipal politics to take the reins at South Island Prosperity Partnership. In October, he becomes the new CEO of the economic development alliance, replacing Emilie de Rosenroll, who left the role in January to become a business owner.

BC Ale Trail wants your vote

The BC Ale Trail has launched its Best Beer Community Competition, a province-wide event where British Columbians can vote to crown the top beer community in the province.

Public voting is open from September 9 to October 6, 2024, giving craft beer lovers across BC the opportunity to support their favourite beer communities along the BC Ale Trail. The winners will be announced during BC Craft Beer Month on October 18, 2024, at BC Beer Con, where communities will be recognized for their contributions to BC’s thriving beer culture.