2023 Annual Report

Strategic Priority Climate Leadership & Environmental Stewardship Strategic Priority Diversified, Thriving Economy

Strategic Priority Goals • Mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. • Reduce municipal and community greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with adopted targets. • Enhance and protect the health of our natural environment. Strategic Priority Goals • Attract, retain and expand business investment to diversify the tax base and increase local employment. • Expand training and educational options in Maple Ridge to build a skilled workforce that attracts innovative businesses. • Explore and maximize tourism opportunities as a means to further diversify the local economy.

2023 Activities

2024 Goals

Attract, Retain, and Expand Business Investment • Co-hosted an announcement for a $280-million provincial and federal investment in E-One Moli Energy Canada’s planned $1-billion lithion-ion battery plant. • Earned media attention for hosting filming of Drake and Lil Yachty music video, and episodes of Goosebumps and Virgin River episodes. • Held a temporary employment job fair focused on the film industry and secured a seat on the Film Advisory Board of BC’s Film Commission. • Promoted businesses with initiatives such as Illuminate Maple Ridge and the third annual Innovation Challenge. • Actively promoted opportunities in Maple Ridge to the aviation / aerospace and hotel industries. • Held a Leadership Summit focused on economic development with participation from business, government, economic, and community leaders to identify and address challenges and opportunities. • Developed a manufacturing sector roundtable to understand and address challenges. • Conducted a retail market analysis to be shared with the retail and commercial land industry.

Attract, Retain, and Expand Business Investment • Develop strategies to attract, retain, and expand business and investment. • Promote local businesses with funding for seasonal promotions and other campaigns. • Refresh the Agricultural Plan. • Enhance resources to process business licences, including for short-term rentals, as required by the Province of BC. • Analyze data to better promote business retention and expansion. • Raise awareness of Maple Ridge’s brand and promote the City as a place to do business. Maximize Tourism Opportunities • Maximize business opportunities related to the 2024 BC Summer Games. • Review policies for eco, adventure, and agri-tourism. • Develop a strategy to attract visitors to events in Maple Ridge. Expand Training and Educational Options • Take steps to establish a post-secondary institution in Maple Ridge in conjunction with a labour market analysis.

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