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CAN'T FIND SOMETHING? |
How to find the best home for a thriving business
By Baila Lazarus As Maple Ridge's reputation spreads, it draws those interested in a remarkable place to live and work. Close to rural and forest settings that offer outdoor opportunities, with the vibrant growth of a 21st-century city and affordable real-estate values, Maple Ridge offers a perfect trifecta for a lifestyle unequalled in the province.
Serving up business"They're so eager to do business, to help source opportunities and to offer suggestions," says Norm Attridge, assistant vice-president, business services, with Envision Financial, speaking of the city's politicians and staff. "They're willing to come to the table and offer ideas and solutions." Attridge points out that every city needs a stable downtown core, balanced with residential and commercial development, and that Maple Ridge has addressed this challenge with good incentives and strong communication. "There's a consistency in messaging," he says. "People are on the same page, for example, with the pace of growth." Since the launch of the Town Centre Investment Incentives Program in January 2011, over $22 million worth in building permits have been issued in Maple Ridge. Land is relatively inexpensive, points out Glenn Ralph, chair of the Maple Ridge Economic Advisory Commission to Council, "and the municipality has made it user-friendly with the new incentive program, streamlining and processing of paperwork, and a huge focus to try to ensure developers get into the ground and get going without undo delays." Ralph sees small business, software developers, film and tourism companies as good fits for the city. Small business also does very well. While Industry Canada suggests an average small-business survival rate of 66.9 per cent after three years, in Maple Ridge it stays between 80 and 90 per cent. Mayor Ernie Daykin is especially excited about the commercial buildup occurring in the downtown core. The old brick mall that people thought would be bulldozed is now attracting new stores like Thrifty's and Target. More construction and especially multi-use commercial-residential projects are popping up as well. One such is the proposal for a five-tower mixed-use residential, commercial, retail and hotel space (900,000 square feet of residential and commercial). "This project will change the face of Maple Ridge," says Daykin, adding that he can also see manufacturing, technology, green business parks and secondary education being at home in the area. He says that about 170 acres of vacant or underused land are already zoned light-industrial: "There's a huge potential to see how that area can be redeveloped."
Work and playAmong Maple Ridge's greatest draws is the proximity to nature. "For 50 per cent of what you would spend in Vancouver, you have access to this great wonderland 10 or 15 minutes away," says Envision's Attridge. This access to nature, combined with the opening-up of transportation routes, has made Maple Ridge one of British Columbia's top places to invest. "We already have started to see the businesses coming," says Don Campbell, president of the Real Estate Investment Network (REIN). For the third year in a row, REIN has ranked Maple Ridge as No. 2 top B.C. investment town and No. 5 in Canada. The Maple Ridge - Pitt Meadows region has great potential to be a distribution hub, Campbell adds, given the access to the Fraser Valley and the soon-to-be-completed South Fraser Perimeter Road. According to the 2011 Metro Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy: Metro Vancouver 2040 - Shaping our Future, the population is expected to jump to 132,000, while the number of jobs will increase to 48,000. "Maple Ridge has always had an interest in growing strategically, but given the geographical challenges, there was some impediment," says Attridge. "Now that they have the accessibility, coupled with that desire for strategic growth, it's going to be a lot easier."
Did you know?
Contact Sandy Blue, Manager Economic Development District of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6A9 Phone: 604-467-7319; E-mail: invest@mapleridge.ca Website: www.investmapleridge.ca
Reprinted from Business in Vancouver's 2012 How-To Book |
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