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| A Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) strategy was presented to Council in May 2025. It was a collaborative effort across multiple departments. A plan for business retention and expansion has been completed. Staff are now integrating the plan to align it with the Investment Attraction strategy which will focus on targeting industries that enhance tax diversification and create jobs in Maple Ridge. The focus will also include short-term objectives and strategic planning to attract long-term investments. | |
| The City has adopted an Investment Attraction Strategy and is now implementing it into action. As part of this work, labor market and incentive strategies will be developed to match the skills and tools needed to attract and retain target industries in Maple Ridge. Therefore, the work of this key result will be absorbed into the implementation of the strategy to maximize focus of the work on the most promising sectors that support new business attraction. | |
| An Investment Attraction Strategy has been developed that provides guidance on possible targeted industries on which to focus. This was a collaborative effort across multiple departments, and staff are now working on setting up new key results for Q3 that will drive achievement of investment attraction results in the industries selected. The focus is on industries that enhance tax diversification and create jobs in Maple Ridge. | |
| Implementing process improvements is still ongoing. A business licence bylaw re-write is under review, which will align with any new technology to also lead to improved efficiency for businesses seeking to obtain, renew or update their licenses. | |
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| In 2024 and early 2025 considerable work was done to build a collaboration with key partners to encourage location of a post-secondary institution in Maple Ridge. Establishing a collaboration model is now completed and will continue to be maintained. Future work will focus on connecting the post-secondary engagement and collaboration to investment attraction needs regarding the future labour force. This aspect of the feasibility study for post-secondary intuitions is now completed. It will remain a longer-term focus for the City to prepare for an upturn in growth of the post-secondary sector as current external factors such as immigration policy have made the operating environment more challenging in the medium term for post-secondary institutions expansion and growth in satellite campuses. | |
| After review of a possible Tech-Hub, the City has shifted its focus toward advancing the Innovation Ecosystem more broadly and this may involve initiatives targeting technology-inclined entrepreneurs as well as other projects that will support local innovation and stimulate business attraction and retention. This work will involve assessing existing assets and opportunities in the community. Through this process, we are building a clearer understanding of local capacity and needs. A revised and more clearly defined key result will be proposed. | |
| The City has adopted an Investment Attraction Strategy and is now implementing it into action. As part of this work, labor market and incentive strategies will be developed to match the skills and tools needed to attract and retain target industries in Maple Ridge. Therefore, the work of this key result will be absorbed into the implementation of the investment strategy to maximize focus of the work on the most promising sectors that support new business attraction. The labour market analysis was not completed to date and so will be closed as not-met even though this work will be rescoped as part of the implementation of the Investment Strategy. | |
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| This key result is now completed as a regulatory review of agri-, eco- and adventure tourism was completed in Q1 2026. This has given important insights for the Planning department to further inform development of possible new policy and programs in 2027 and beyond to support this area of industry in Maple Ridge. In 2024, a baseline was established for the Net Promoter Score for agri-, eco-, and adventure tourism sector so that the City can now measure on a regular cycle the growth of the sector. The City's Economic Development department is continuing supports for this sector and the Planning Department will revisit possible new policy and programs after completion of the Agricultural Plan in 2027. | |
| This key result focused on the positive benefits from film productions in Maple Ridge in stimulating local tourism. While there is anecdotal evidence that film productions in Maple Ridge have generated positive tourism benefits, this is difficult to quantify. This key result will be completed as partially met and new key results focused on the core economic benefits of the film sector will be implemented to better reflect the intent of this work. Additional measures for tourism attraction are also being added. | |
| The Event Attraction Strategy for tourism driven events has been prepared and was reviewed by Council for input in Q1, 2025. Staff are now working though the strategy recommendations to determine next steps to foster events that have multiplier benefits for the community through tourism attraction, business development and that align with existing community based and recreational events. Future initiatives will be put in place to enact the strategy and undertake work in earnest to target the attraction of specific high-profile events (e.g., concerts, cultural events and festivals, film festivals, sports and games events) that can generate tourism and community outcomes. | |
| The BeWith Experience Hub currently has over 50 registered businesses, with more than 50% representing new entrants to the platform. This growth reflects increasing sector engagement and the Hub’s expanding role as a centralized resource for tourism‑related enterprises. Work will continue on the development and use of the HUB; the key result was completed in Q1 2026 and will become an ongoing operational resource. | |
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| Strong progress has been made on this Key Result. As of the end of June 2026, the number of feature film productions has doubled from the same time last year, and TV productions are up by 257% on the previous year's total. The total number of shooting days and permits issued for all types of production have also doubled on the previous year's benchmark. Revenue to date has also doubled to over $440,000 in the first two quarters of 2026. This represents an equivalent economic impact from filming activity of over $7.9M year to date.
Growth is driven by recurring major productions and increased rental demand for City-owned assets. Revenue has also been increased following the introduction of an updated fee schedule in 2025 to support cost recovery from filming activity in the community. Continued outreach is strengthening a film-friendly business ecosystem. Film Fridays ran for six months, showcasing Maple Ridge filming across various social media platforms, boosting film-friendly visibility and strengthening leverage to attract productions and partners.
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| Two large shows have committed to utilizing properties in Maple Ridge long term, creating large direct, indirect and induced impacts for Maple Ridge, as these shows leverage other Maple Ridge businesses, locations, services, etc. within the area. Although the initial target of two productions has been achieved, future updates will continue to provide information about further progress and successes related to attraction of major productions
Five major productions have been and are stationed out of Maple Ridge on a semi, to long term basis through Q1 of 2026 and beyond.
The City launched the Film Maple Ridge Playbook | Maple Ridge, BC, which explores how thoughtful policy, operational excellence, and community integration turn filming into lasting economic, cultural, and social value. It’s the blueprint for growing film responsibly, at scale to ensure that we remain a film friendly and resilient filming community that can continue to retain and expand upon the productions we are attracting. Because - there is no film without our community. It also works in a multipronged way, by celebrating the productions that Choose Maple Ridge and give the City increasing ability to attract productions to a film friendly jurisdiction (both community and governance).
The City is also developing the Film Maple Ridge partners program. Through an ecosystem approach, the program is designed to: attract increased production activity in Maple Ridge; increase direct, indirect, and induced spend within Maple Ridge by productions, their affiliates, and staff; ensure that productions have as seamless as an experience to source locations, products, services, and goods; create long term sustainable relationships between the business community and the film industry.
Maple Ridge currently remains near the entry level of the economic multiplier effect (i.e., every $1 spent on production = an estimated $1.50 - $3.00 of economic activity generated in the local economy), as industry integration with the local business environment is still in its early stages. The Film Maple Ridge Partnership is designed to move the community up the economic multiplier curve by expanding direct economic activity and unlocking stronger indirect and induced impacts. Our focus is on building the conditions for sustained ripple effects throughout the Maple Ridge economy through support of three key branches of integration, in which were introduced at our first Partnership working group session last fall.
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- Location Partners
- Business to Business Providers
- Business to Consumer Providers
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| Film Fridays is a showcase of behind-the-scenes content from film projects in Maple Ridge, sprinkled with some fun film facts and, Maple Ridge designer slates. 18 reels, 28 photos, and eight fan edits. This campaign finally reached its conclusion in Q4 2025. From indie films to blockbuster hits, educational pieces to your latest TV addiction, the City compiled a true sample of the breadth of filming ventures (and the wild stories that follow) taking place in the community.
Baseline data suggest strong community engagement, awareness and support for the Film Friday campaign and by extension filming in Maple Ridge more generally. Statistics show over one hundred and sixty-two thousand views, across 3 social media platforms, with almost 3,000 engagements for 23 campaign posts. This campaign ran in 2025 and will be used as a baseline comparator for 2026 Film Maple Ridge Social Media content. This key result was therefore completed in Q1 2026 and ongoing monitoring of sentiment analysis will continue as an operational activity.
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| This key result was completed in Q1 2026 as all eligible businesses in the downtown BIA area received information about the program. Promotion of the Patio Program to businesses will continue as an operational item. Information has been distributed via newsletters from the City and partner organizations, networking events, ongoing outreach, and in-person promotional events to connect businesses with information, products, services, and supports for patio activations in Maple Ridge. This initiative enables the City to support vibrant downtown and increase economic opportunities for business and amenities for residents seeking entertainment and community connection. | |
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| More than 30 stakeholder engagements have been completed with community members, municipal partners, universities, colleges, schools, emerging startups, and established businesses across the region. These engagements have included activities such as an in-person focus group, survey, and multiple one-on-one entrepreneur and influencer meetings. These engagements, along with research and other related activities, have generated a clearer understanding of the conditions required to support an emerging innovation ecosystem, including the need for stronger entrepreneurial support infrastructure with regional relevance. While this work has identified gaps, opportunities, and potential activation ecosystem models, upcoming events and continued community engagement will help further refine and validate the Maple Ridge-specific perspective and inform recommendations for the City’s Innovation Ecosystem Action Plan. | |
| The City has exceeded the attendance target confirming strong interest and validating its convening role in the local innovation ecosystem. To continue the community-led momentum, additional events are planned with a focus on targeted entrepreneurship topics, increasing awareness, building partnerships, gathering insights on ecosystem needs, and enabling sustained ecosystem growth and development. These additional events will contribute to the City’s goal of delivering 4 community innovation events. | |
| Two organizations have been identified as potential strategic partners. Formal agreements are not yet in place, as confirming long-term partnership arrangements is dependent on confirmation and alignment around specific projects, funding commitments, and coordination with the ecosystem. Funding opportunities, through grant programs, are being evaluated to advance partnerships through specific programs. | |
| The top three media outlets that could help promote the City’s innovation ecosystem work have been identified, and additional efforts are underway to determine the most effective next steps for engagement. | |
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| Sorting and categorization of the business licence data continues, with cross-checking of the information with external sources and additional contextual data points being added. | |
| Scoping of the process, key roles/contacts, and information flow is underway. Development and deployment will happen in concert with the implementation of an Economic Development customer relationship management tool. This work will support improved responsiveness and proactive management of relationships with businesses in the community to foster more economic activity and ensure businesses access the available supports. | |
| Scoping of a monthly business retention and expansion dashboard and associated processes is underway in conjunction with development of standard operating procedures and processes being implemented as part of the CRM system deployment. | |
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| Work to identify and contact new 'Elephant' employers continues. Nurturing of existing relationships continues largely on a project-based focus. Data collection and outreach continues to build the contextual knowledge base about local employers and their primary sectors. | |
| Economic Development continues to work in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce to develop and execute on a business walk/visitation program that is coordinated with the City-Chamber service agreement. A business walk scheduled for June was deferred due to lack of positive interest and/or availability on the part of the targeted businesses. Outreach and visits will continue along with response to inbound enquiries and concerns, accounting for nearly 30 business connections in the last two months. | |
| Economic Development is working in collaborating and coordinating with the Chamber of Commerce on the development and execution of these focus groups to ensure they also meet the needs of the City-Chamber service agreement. Focused work is beginning in late June on the execution of the sessions. | |
| To date, five joint innovation-focused business engagements have taken place to support these business and identify opportunities to support their growth. Outreach will continue through both the innovation hub initiative and ongoing business retention & expansion efforts. | |
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| Information on existing energy incentive programs and resources for businesses (including those in the agrifood sector) and clean economy-related training available in BC has been posted to the Business Resources page on the City's website (MapleRidge.ca/BusinessResources). Information will be periodically reviewed and updated as required. Promotion of the information will be done through existing channels, including the BizNews newsletter, as well as partner-managed communications.
The development of business workshops is underway, with delivery of sessions remaining anticipated for late autumn 2026. | |
| The Planning department will lead a refresh and revision of the Agricultural Plan to better align this with planned Official Community Plan updates and include a stronger economic development lens. This will enable future policy and program development work under the revised plan that meets multiple objectives of the City to maintain and preserve agriculture and natural assets in the context of the specific conditions for agr-business in Maple Ridge and to enable future industry development for agri-, eco- and adventure-tourism that leverages our natural assets. | |