Maple Ridge Economic Development

The team at Maple Ridge Economic Development wishes you the best of the Season, and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. If you're thinking of investing in expansion of your existing business, or starting a new one, we're here to help. Our online resource is available to you 24/7 at http://www.investmapleridge.ca/

Here's some information about the services our team provides and what we'll be working on next year. We look forward to hearing from you!

Profile: Maple Ridge Economic Development provides information and resources to help you start or grow your business. We market the investment opportunities in Maple Ridge to our strategic priority sectors – Advanced Technology, Education and Tourism. Our goal is to attract industrial and commercial investment to diversify the tax base and create high value local jobs.

We also offer a “one-stop” Film Production Liaison service to assist in location scouting & permits.

We use a collaborative, relationship-based approach to marketing. By working together with our partners and building on our collective strengths, we significantly increase the likelihood of achieving our goals of strengthening our competitiveness, and creating an increasingly more vibrant community. These partnerships include national, regional and local agencies such as – EDAC, EDABC / LinxBC, Metro Vancouver Commerce; and agencies such as Tourism BC, Tourism Vancouver Coast and Mountains, School District 42 and Fraser Health.


2010 Workplan Summary: The 2010 Economic Development workplan was developed in consultation with the Economic Advisory Commission (EAC) and with insight from the Maple Ridge Economic Summit – Building Connected Communities. This day-long event that brought together leaders from industry, associations, and education as well as senior levels of government significantly raised the profile of Maple Ridge as an ideal location to invest.

Our participation in Metro Vancouver Commerce (MVC) – a group of member municipalities from across the Metro Vancouver region whose focus is on investment attraction is a key focus for 2010 as we participate in ‘The MVC Olympic Business Leveraging Initiative’, designed to leave an outstanding business legacy in Metro Vancouver. This program brings key decision makers who intend to invest here to the Olympic Games in February; and will be an important focus for the MVC team until the end of 2011 as we followup on leads.

Developing a long range, sustainable regional Tourism Strategy that includes product development, marketing and visitor services is an important deliverable.

The Film Industry is big business in BC. Due in part to Provincial incentives for the industry, BC continues to enjoy a healthy film production climate, and Maple Ridge sees more than our fair share of productions. Our office works closely with the BC Film Commission to ensure that Maple Ridge is well represented and that we continue to attract productions.

Are you in the know?

For the latest news from the District of Maple Ridge, you can now subscribe to a weekly online newsletter. If you'd like to recieve this informative weekly recap, simply visit the link below to subscribe.  

http://www.mapleridge.ca/EN/topnav/newsletter/subscribe.html

Sneak peek at new investment attraction ad

We're pretty excited about our latest investment attraction ad 'this is what opportunity looks like' - so wanted you to be among the first to see it! Watch for it in the following publications:

• Business Fraser Valley monthly - goes to 13,000 Fraser Valley businesses each month 
• Chamber of Commerce 100 Year Commemorative book;
• Business in Vancouver 'Invest in British Columbia' magazine - 20,000 copies + online  

This is what opportunity looks like.

Maple Ridge is primed and ready for investment. With 266 square kilometres of the most affordable land in the region and $1 billion of new infrastructure connections to Metro Vancouver, it was ranked 'the #2 investment town in BC' by the Real Estate Investment Network (REIN) in 2009. Affordable, accessible Maple Ridge. Come here - go far.

Now's the time to invest in Maple Ridge. www.investmapleridge.ca

Golden Ears Montage print

The Maple Ridge Economic Development Office has a limited supply of numbered photo prints of the Golden Ears Bridge / Golden Ears Mountains montage (shown above) available for sale $35 + tax 

And we've arranged a special price with Photo Express for you to have them framed - two options $51.50 + tax for 'laminart'; or $145 + tax for framed print.  

To purchase, come by the Economic Development Office 8 - 4 Monday - Friday. For additional information contact invest@mapleridge.ca or call 604-467-7320

What's new at City Hall?

Maple Ridge Council meets every Monday to discuss issues and hear presentations on local and regional topics and projects.

It’s now even easier to stay up to date with what’s happening at City Hall - by subscribing to Council this Week a weekly online update available on http://www.mapleridge.ca/

Every Wednesday morning the latest edition of Council this Week will provide you with the highlights including presentations and reports.

Christmas Night Market huge success

The First Annual Christmas Market that was held December 5 drew an estimated 1,500 visitors who enjoyed Christmas music while they ate, shopped and visited!

Paul and Eileen Dwilles, Managers of the Haney Farmer’s Market wish to thank all of the vendors, volunteers and customers for making this their most successful event all year!

www.haneyfarmersmarket.org

Shop local for your chance to win in the 3/50 Challenge

Come check out Downtown Maple Ridge and win!

Shop at any store in Downtown Maple Ridge. The idea is to support local stores rather than have those dollars leave the community. You might be pleasantly surprised by their selection and competitive prices. Simply buy a total of $50 worth of goods or services in three downtown Maple Ridge businesses and enter the contest. Prizes include three $50-gift certificates; and a grand prize of $250 will be awarded at the end of the contest.

Visit www.downtownmapleridge.ca for full details.

Wondering how to get to Vancouver during the Olympics?

The countdown to the Olympics is on!

As you make your plans to join in the celebrations, getting there is something you’ll definitely want to plan ahead. Translink has created a special website to help make getting around during the Olympics as easy as possible.

Of particular interest to those in the Valley, there will be additional West Coast Express Train and Train Bus departures including late night eastbound times to give you lots of time to enjoy post-event activities.

http://tripplanning.translink.ca/hiwire?.a=iScheduleLookupSearch&LineName=997&LineAbbr=997

Chamber celebrates 100 Years

Congratulations to the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Chamber of Commerce who are celebrating their 100th Anniversary in 2010. “Wednesday December 30, 2010 marks the 100 year anniversary of the Chamber of Commerce, formally known as the Port Haney Progressive Association in 1908." Executive Director Dean Barbour noted "Over these years, the Chamber has been an integral part of our community and continues to be proactive organization supporting economic, community and business development for our region.”


www.ridgemeadowschamber.com

2009 Reflections and Thanks:

On behalf of Mayor Daykin & Council, the Economic Advisory Commission to Council, all of us here at the District of Maple Ridge - and especially Darrell, Erin, Marg and me at the Economic Development office – I’d like to thank you for your interest in Maple Ridge; and wish you the very best for 2010.


With the opening of the Golden Ears and Pitt River Bridges making it even easier to get here, the Economic Development Team has enjoyed a very busy year answering enquiries and helping prospective investors and existing companies discover the world of investment and lifestyle opportunities here. Our office is open 8:00 – 4:00 weekdays to take your phone, email and in person enquiries, and our online resource is available to you 24/7 at www.investmapleridge.ca

Weekends

For all the latest information about what's happening in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows - weekends - and during the rest of the week too... follow http://www.mapleridgeweekends.com/

Santa Parade recap by Maple Ridge Times

If you missed the Santa Parade and night market Saturday, no need to pout... simply visit Maple Ridge Times and check it out!

To view an amazing slideshow of the event courtesy of Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows TIMES visit the multimedia section at http://www.mrtimes.com/ Turn your speakers up and enjoy!

"The annual Santa Parade ran this Saturday and got a huge turnout thanks to cold, but clear weather. It was a full day of activities beginning with the Christmas Farmers' Market in the morning, the Santa Parade and a Winter Christmas Market in the afternoon.

For the first year, a Winter Christmas Market was organized to coincide with the the Santa Parade in the covered parkade by the Spirit Square in Memorial Peace Park.

The Downtown Business Improvement Association encouraged business to get into the holiday spirit on Saturday evening by turning their lights off at 5:55 p.m. and turning them back on to coincide with the Santa Parade which will come down 224 at 6 p.m."

Thanks, Maple Ridge Times!

© Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Times 2009

Looking for unique gifts this year? Sale on Maple Ridge logo merchandise

Looking for unique gifts this year?

The Maple Ridge Economic Development sells a variety of items with the Maple Ridge logo. And now til December 24 they are on sale for 15% off.  Items include clothing clourful lunch bags, stainless steel water bottles, ball caps, tote bags and blankets! Sale prices range from thermal lunch bags for under $10 to 3/4 zip long sleeved shirts for under $35!

Drop by our office and check off some items on your Christmas list...

Where:          Between the Library and Municipal Hall at 11995 Haney Place
Hours:           8 - 4 Monday to Friday
Email:            mailto:invest@mapleridge.ca%20r
Phone:          604-467-7320

Christmas Night Market & Santa Parade this weekend

The Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association (BIA) proudly presents the First Annual Old Fashioned Family Christmas Market.

You and your family are invited to join in the fun this weekend. We'll have hot roasted chestnuts, warm apple cider and other yummy treats, a festive Christmas treasure hunt with prizes, balloons, fantastic Christmas gift ideas, music and lots of Christmas Cheer!

Date: Saturday December 5, 2009

Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Place: In the covered parking area on the north side of Memorial Peace Park (behind Rogers Video)

Note: This market coincides with the popular Christmas Festival and Santa Parade