Purpose

Volunteer Cowichan chooses to support local small business through its purchasing power. The policy documents Volunteer Cowichan’s commitment to give preference to locally produced goods and services over those produced outside the community.

Policy

Volunteer Cowichan may give preference to procuring goods made in the Cowichan region and services performed by local businesses, even if it entails paying more than the cost of suppliers from outside the community.

Definitions

Local: Cowichan Valley
Goods locally produced: Goods are made, assembled and/or processed locally
Services locally provided: Services are provided by local residents employed by companies locally owned and operated
Preference: Procurement processes will consider degree of economic benefit to the Cowichan Valley. The higher the degree of economic benefit, the stronger the preference.

Procedures

1. Whenever possible Volunteer Cowichan will source locally made goods and services performed by local businesses.
2. When issuing a request for proposal or expression of interest, economic benefit to the Cowichan Valley will be included in the decision making process.
3. In either case a 10% price premium preference will be given to locally procured goods and services.