Island Coastal Economic Trust

09/08/2026

🥕 A new farmers market is bringing local food and new opportunities to downtown Parksville.

The Parksville Downtown Farmers Market is creating a new place for farmers, food producers, and small-scale growers to connect with customers while strengthening the local food economy.

Organized by PQB Fruit Tree Project and running Sundays through October at the McMillan Arts Centre and MAC Community Garden, the food-focused market features locally grown produce, baked goods, prepared foods, plants, flowers, eggs, meat, preserves, and more.

The market is also designed to make participation more accessible for smaller growers through a consignment model, creating new revenue opportunities for micro-producers who may not have the capacity to operate their own stall.

Island Coastal Economic Trust is proud to be investing $19,500 in this inspiring initiative through our Community Placemaking Program, under the Food Security and Agrifood priority area.

09/03/2026

🌊 News From the Coast is here!

Our latest newsletter highlights how communities across Vancouver Island and the coast are creating new opportunities by investing in local strengths.

🌱 In Parksville, a new Sunday farmers’ market is bringing local food producers and the community together while creating new opportunities for farmers, growers, and small businesses.

🏡 On Cortes Island, Hollyhock is expanding its visitor accommodations, helping extend its operating season, support local employment, and strengthen the island’s tourism economy.

News From the Coast shares updates, stories, and highlights from across the region — all showcasing the people and projects helping build stronger, more resilient coastal communities.

👉 Read the latest edition: https://mailchi.mp/83f1aba07b90/stories-from-the-coast-june-17481889

09/02/2026

Regional economic development matters — now more than ever!

We’re pleased to see the importance of regional economic development highlighted in this Times Colonist opinion piece, which makes the case for investing in the people, businesses, infrastructure, and partnerships that strengthen communities across B.C.

For coastal and island communities, economic development means supporting local businesses, advancing Indigenous-led economic opportunities, investing in critical infrastructure, and building the conditions for communities to attract investment and create good local jobs.

At the Trust, we see every day how strategic regional investment can turn local ideas into lasting economic opportunity. And as communities navigate changing economic conditions, collaboration between First Nations, local governments, businesses, the Province, and community organizations has never been more important.

We encourage you to read the full commentary in the Times Colonist and join the conversation about the role regional economic development can play in building a stronger, more resilient B.C.

08/20/2026

🏡 New cabins will help Hollyhock grow its impact on Cortes Island!

Hollyhock is expanding its accommodation capacity with eight new private cabins, helping the organization meet growing demand, extend its operating season, and strengthen one of Cortes Island’s most important sources of local employment.

As the largest employer on Cortes Island, Hollyhock plays an important role in the island’s economy, supporting local jobs and bringing visitors from around the world to the community. The new cabins will help create greater capacity for that activity while contributing to the long-term economic resilience of Cortes.

The Trust is proud to support the project with a $150,000 investment through our Capital and Innovation Program.

Construction is underway, with the new cabins expected to be completed by December 2027.

08/14/2026

📣 Job opportunity in economic development!

A new opportunity is available for someone looking to get involved in a growing creative industry on the North Island.

The Trust is pleased to share this job posting and help connect talented people with meaningful work that supports local businesses, community development, and a thriving regional economy.

👇 See the original post for the full job description and application details.

INFilm provides liaison and location scouting services to the film, television, commercial and new media industry interested in filming on northern Vancouver Island.

08/05/2026

A great opportunity for non-profits in the Comox Valley, care of our friends at Comox Valley Community Foundation!

CVCF News: More Than $450,000 Available to Comox Valley Nonprofits 🎉

Through our 2026–27 community granting programs, local non-profits can access new funding to address urgent community needs and strengthen the organizations delivering essential services.
• Community Needs: Single-year grants up to $20,000, or multi-year grants up to $30,000 per year for three years, supporting housing stability and basic needs, mental health, and social connection.
• Non-profit Capacity Building: Grants up to $20,000 to strengthen people, systems, governance, planning, and long-term resilience.

An additional $100,000 will support collaborative environmental and conservation work, plus recreation and social programming for adults with diverse abilities.

📅 Applications open August 10 and close September 25, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Registered charities and other eligible nonprofits whose work benefits the Comox Valley are encouraged to review the guidelines and apply at cvcfoundation.org.

Last year’s community granting programs supported 45 organizations in the Comox Valley, including Cumberland Community Schools Society's food share program. Photo credit: Sara Kempner.

07/29/2026

📘 Our 2025–26 Impact Report is now available!

As we reflect on the past year, we’re encouraged by the remarkable momentum building across Vancouver Island and the coastal region. Together, First Nations, local governments, the Province of British Columbia, businesses, non-profits, and communities are advancing a shared vision for economic development—one rooted in collaboration, shared leadership, and lasting prosperity.

This year, the Trust's Board invested $2.24 million to help generate $45.1 million in major projects, new construction, and regional collaboration—leveraging more than $20 for every $1 invested. These investments are strengthening local economies, supporting innovation, creating jobs, and building more resilient communities across Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and numerous island and inlet communities.

We invite you to explore our 2025–26 Impact Report to learn more about the projects, partnerships, and people driving economic opportunity and community wellbeing throughout the region.

📖 Read the report: https://islandcoastaltrust.ca/news/2025-26-impact-report-showcases-more-than-45-million-in-new-regional-investment/

07/23/2026

🌿 We're proud to once again support Tourism Vancouver Island's 2026 Stewardship Summit as a returning sponsor!

Taking place October 22–23 in Ucluelet, the 2026 Summit will bring together tourism operators, local governments, First Nations, businesses, and community organizations to share ideas and showcase projects that are helping build a more regenerative tourism economy across Vancouver Island.

From destination stewardship and sustainable business models to agritourism, local food systems, transportation, and data-driven planning, the Summit highlights how collaboration can strengthen communities while creating long-term economic opportunities.

At the Trust, we believe thriving communities and thriving visitor economies go hand in hand. That's why we're pleased to support events like the Stewardship Summit that foster partnerships, inspire innovation, and help build a more resilient coastal economy.

We look forward to seeing the conversations, connections, and ideas that emerge in Ucluelet this October.

07/22/2026

⚡A new renewable microgrid is helping power a cleaner, more resilient future for Yuquot!

Led by Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation, this innovative project will reduce reliance on diesel fuel while supporting sustainable tourism, local economic development, and the Nation's long-term vision for its ancestral village. By combining renewable energy technologies with battery storage, the microgrid will provide reliable, low-carbon power in one of British Columbia's most remote communities.

The Trust is proud to support this Indigenous-led initiative through our Capital and Innovation Program, helping advance clean energy solutions that create economic opportunities while strengthening community resilience.

Congratulations to Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation and all project partners on this exciting milestone.

07/08/2026

📣 Job opportunity on Gabriola Island!

The Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce is hiring. If you’re passionate about supporting local business and community economic development, this could be a great opportunity to make an impact close to home.

Applications are open until noon on July 15.

👇 See the Gabriola Chamber post for details.

We are hiring!

See full job description: https://gabriolachamber.ca/news/

Deadline to apply is noon, July 15th. Please send cover letter and resume to [email protected].