Business Resources

Education & Training for Growth and Success

Maple Ridge is home to a variety of education and training organizations that can help keep you and your workforce at the top of your game - public and private, Kindergarten to Grade 12 and post-secondary schools.

Maple Ridge - Pitt Meadows School District 42

School District 42 serves approximately 16,000 students of all ages across the community in 22 elementary schools, 6 secondary schools, plus continuing education and on-line learning services. The district also runs an innovative Environmental School for grades K-7 that uses experiential, in-context, and nature-based learning at a variety of locations across Maple Ridge to reconnect the natural and human worlds for students.

Ridge Meadows College

Ridge Meadows College offers certificate programs and trades training to prepare students for careers in a variety of high-demand fields, including medical and office administration, early childhood education, and building service work. The college also offers contracted training services for businesses in the community.

UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest

Established in 1949, the UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest (MKRF) is one of two research forests managed by the University of British Columbia. This working forest of 5157 hectares is a facility for research, demonstration, and education in the field of forestry and allied sciences. To date, more than 1000 research projects have been conducted in the forest, with 100 active projects happening at any given time.

Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC)

The JIBC Maple Ridge campus is designed for hands-on firefighting practice and training delivered by the Fire & Safety Division. Among its unique simulation training props are a three-storey concrete burn building, a ship’s steel superstructure and an 11-car train derailment.

IUOE Local 115 Heavy Equipment Training Site

One of the leading facilities of its kind in Canada, IUOE Local 115 Heavy Equipment Training Site offers courses in Road Building and Heavy Construction, Mobile Crane Operation and Asphalt Paving. At over 16 hectares, the site features real-life hands-on access to over 25 pieces of equipment used in the field and realistic jobsite conditions. In 2024, the union purchased two tower cranes for the facility and is developing a specialized curriculum with Skilled Trades BC. Training programs run throughout the year and are available to members and non-members alike.

BCIT Forest Society

Since 1985, the BCIT Forest Society, on behalf of the Province, has managed Woodlot 0007 with a mandate to practise and demonstrate sustainable forest management on the woodlot, for the benefit of BCIT Renewable Resources students and the public at large. Students take part in a variety of forest management operations including planning, vegetation inventory, wildlife inventory, block layout, and silviculture. The woodlot is also home to a learning facility that can be rented for a variety of events.

Meadowridge School

Meadowridge School is a private International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum World School located in Maple Ridge on a nearly 11-hectare campus, offering co-educational programs to more than 600 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Post-secondary for the future

The City is also working with our partners to realize the vision of making Maple Ridge a hub for community-based post-secondary education in northeastern Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows students receive funds for post-secondary needs study (June 20, 2022)

B.C. invests in planning for post-secondary education in Ridge Meadows (February 2, 2024)

We're Here to Help!

No matter what stage of business you're at—from developing the initial concept, to running an established business or taking your business beyond Maple Ridge—the resources listed below can help you take your business to the next level, whatever that may be. 

AgPal

AgPal offers BC farmers, producers, and food processors information and links to a variety of federal and provincial programs for funding, insurance, marketing, and technology adoption.

Agri-food Business & Market Development

The provincial government provides tools, information, and resources on best practices for business growth and market development for the agriculture and seafood sector. Topics include business management, market development, emergency preparedness, and funding opportunities.

BC Economic Atlas

The BC Economic Atlas is a user friendly, publicly available web-based mapping application that integrates and displays spatial economic and natural resource data to support business and investment opportunity identification, business case analysis, and business and investment decision-making in BC.

BC Tech Association

The BC Tech Association connects start-up and mid-size companies from across the technology spectrum with seasoned mentors, focusing on revenue growth, executing on customer and revenue expansion plans, and providing access to global experts and connections. 

BizPaL

BizPaL  provides a convenient one-stop source for the business permits and licences that may be required to start and grow your business.

Business Benefits Finder

The Business Benefits Finder is a comprehensive search engine that can help you find grants and contributions, loans, tax credits, wage subsidies, and other business supports available from governments and other agencies. 

Business Council of BC

The Business Council is a policy and business advocacy organization in the province. Membership provides opportunities to participate in round table meetings, working committees and conferences, which allow you to stay informed about current developments and stay connected with other business leaders and government.

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

BDC helps create and develop Canadian businesses through financing, venture capital and consulting services, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. 

Business Improvement Association

The Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association (DMRBIA) exists to encourage and promote business in the downtown area through various cooperative projects including festivals, events, safety, security, banners, street design and furniture, garbage receptacles, cleanup, graffiti prevention, street and walkway lighting, holiday decorations and other operations which aim to improve the BIA community in general.

Business Names, Partnerships, and Limited Companies

Business names, partnerships, and limited companies must be registered with the Province, and names must be searched before they can be registered. You may operate as a sole proprietor under your own name without need of registration of the business name.

Canada Small Business Financing Program

The Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders.  Up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for term loans is available for any one borrower, of which no more than $500,000 can be used for purchasing leasehold improvements or improving leased property and purchasing or improving new or used equipment (up to $150,000 of that could be used for intangible assets and working capital assets). Up to $150,000 for lines of credit.

Chambers of Commerce 

• BC Chamber of Commerce - Advocates to provincial and federal governments on behalf of its 125 members and more than 36,000 businesses to ensure their concerns are being heard.
• Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce - Your local chamber of commerce connects businesses through networking, learning, and advocacy to promote and protect the interests of their members.

Employment Standards

All employers in BC must comply with provincial Employment Standards, available online from the provincial government.

Farm Credit Canada (FCC)

Farm Credit Canada is Canada's leading agriculture lender, providing financing, insurance, software, learning programs and other business services to producers, agribusinesses and agri-food operations.

Forum for Women Entrepreneurs

The Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE) educates, mentors and connects women entrepreneurs to be wildly successful, promoting strong economies and thriving communities. From learning about raising capital, to developing a pitch, growing one's HR, sales, leadership skills and more, we support women entrepreneurs leading business at any stage, of any size and industry, anywhere in Canada.

Futurpreneur

Futurpreneur focuses on helping aspiring young entrepreneurs aged 18-39 with pre-launch expertise, mentoring and character-based (not collateral-based) financing of up to $15,000.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

If you anticipate your annual gross revenue from sales of GST-taxable goods and services will be greater than $30,000, you are required to register for the GST. Registration is available online through the Canada Revenue Agency or by calling 1-800-959-5525.

Invest Vancouver | Metro Vancouver

Invest Vancouver is Metro Vancouver's regional economic development service. They work directly with global investors to facilitate business investment and expansion into the region, advise leaders on economic development policy and strategy to enhance the region's global competitiveness, inform economic development decision-making with cutting-edge data analytics and market intelligence, foster regional economic development collaboration, and promote and showcase the advantages and opportunities the region has to offer.

National Research Council of Canada (NRC IRAP)

The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) is Canada's leading innovation assistance program for small and medium-sized businesses. NRC IRAP can help Canadian businesses build their innovation capacity and commercialization through financial assistance, advisory services, and connections to business and R&D expertise. Visit NRC online or call 1-877-994-4727. 

New Ventures BC

New Ventures BC is a non-profit organization that recognizes, encourages, and supports entrepreneurship in BC's technology sector. The New Ventures BC Competition is the largest and longest-running tech competition in BC, offering education, coaching and awarding $250,000 and prizes to BC startups. Other New Venture BC programs include the Distance Venture Acceleration Program which focuses on customer discovery and market validation training, and the Innovator Skills Initiative Grant Program which provides tech companies and startups with up to $10,000 a year to hire a BC post-secondary student.

Provincial Sales Taxes (PST)

If your business entails the buying and selling taxable goods, you will require a provincial sales tax licence (PST). Contact the Consumer Taxation Branch for more information on this.

Small Business BC

Small Business BC assists small businesses at every stage of development with products, services and support in order to foster development and growth, improve productivity, increase profitability and create new opportunities. 

Starting a Restaurant in BC

A comprehensive online guide on the requirements for starting a restaurant in BC.

Succession Matching

Succession Matching is an on-line community of business buyers, sellers, and succession planning professionals.  

Trade and Invest BC

Tapping into international markets offers the potential for immense business growth. British Columbia’s strategic location means businesses of all sizes, across all industry sectors, can benefit from going global. Trade and Invest BC offers a wide variety of resources to help your business grow through international opportunities.

WeBC 

WeBC is a not-for-profit that has been supporting women business owners across the province for nearly three decades. Working with regional partners, WeBC has provided thousands of entrepreneurs with business loans and expertise, training, resources, and peer network support to help businesses grow and thrive.

WorkBC

WorkBC provides BC employers with information to help support and grow their business, as well as access to a job board that helps them find quality talent through free job postings. Maple Ridge businesses can contact the local WorkBC Centre for community-specific services.

WorkSafeBC

WorkSafeBC promotes workplace health and safety for the workers and employers, provides return-to-work rehabilitation, compensation and health care benefits, and enforces occupational health and safety regulations in BC.

Young Agrarians

Young Agrarians is a network for new and young ecological and organic farmers. The network is made up of a diverse array of food growers and lovers: rural and urban farmers, market gardeners, seed savers, food activists, bee keepers, community gardeners, food/farmer organizations and more- working to steward land and soil, and grow our local food systems.

The Economic Development department regularly undertakes studies and analyses to get a better understanding of business opportunities for both local companies and investors looking to be a part of our dynamic, growing city. 

• Maple Ridge Retail Market Analysis (2023)
• Tourism Strategy Update (2022)
• HVS Hotel Market Study (2022)
• Hotel Investment Opportunity Profile (2022)
• CBRE Accommodation Market Update for a Proposed Hotel (2021)
• Economic Development Strategy (2021)
• Tourism Strategy (2017)
• Hotel Feasibility Study (2017)