Municipal Hall

June 6, 2008 / 12:00 AM

Maple Ridge, BC: The District of Maple Ridge has hired Ference Weicker and Company, a consultant group, to put together a high-tech attraction strategy as a result of a recommendation put forward by the District's Economic Advisory Commission. The purpose of the study is to assess the potential and determine the most appropriate strategy to attract high-tech companies to locate in Maple Ridge.

The work on the Report will begin immediately and is expected to be completed by the beginning of October this fall. The first phase will include conducting interviews with some Maple Ridge-based technology firms as well as speaking to members of the EAC and District staff to gain a better understanding of the current situation locally. Further research will involve interviewing technology companies in other regions of the Lower Mainland, BC and neighbouring jurisdictions. The end result will be a plan on how to support high-tech companies already located in Maple Ridge as well as how to target high technology segments to set up shop in Maple Ridge.

"This is one of many steps we are taking to retain and attract high value jobs to our community," said Mayor Gordy Robson. "Technology is an industry segment that we would like to see more of in Maple Ridge and this strategy will help us plan how to make that happen."

In 2006, the District prepared a five year Economic Development Strategy that identified technology as a sector for which opportunities for development exist and which would be worthy of further investigation. The strategy also noted that there is community support for further development in this area.