In my role I get to see a wide range of activities and projects - everything from the straightforward enquires to complex projects involving business, governments, and investors.

Here in Maple Ridge we're seeing an unprecedented level of investment activity and interest from near and far. With all that's going on I'm surprised to still occasionally hear comments that "there's nothing going on." Admittedly it can be tough to keep up with so MUCH going on...

In this column I'll be highlighting some of what's underway and ways you can easily stay up to date.

I can see clearly now:

With all the development underway in Maple Ridge these days, it can be challenging to keep up with the latest news and to track the progress of hundreds of projects!

The Town Centre Investment Incentive Program projects are mapped on the Incentive Projects Map at www.mapleridge.ca.

In addition to more than 40 projects downtown our planning department has more than 360 active applications.

When it comes to reporting official performance results, the District of Maple Ridge has 77 measures we update on an ongoing basis.

These are available online so you can view them at your convenience on "SeeIt" - appropriately named because the system allows you to "see" the results. Simply visit www.mapleridge.ca and under the municipal h all tab, select Performance Reporting, and click on the See It link.

Each category includes a written goal as well as a graph showing how well we're delivering results. The information tab in each section provides additional information and background; and if you have questions you can send a note directly from the page to the manager in that area of expertise. While you're on our website we also invite you to subscribe to one of our free e-newsletters.

ù Business by the numbers: Did you know that there are more than 1,500 commercial businesses in Maple Ridge? That more than 700 of those are in downtown Maple Ridge? And that Maple Ridge companies consistently outpaces the national Industry Canada benchmark three-year business survival rate of 67 per cent by as much as 30 per cent?

ù Building your business: There are some great business success stories right here in Maple Ridge and we'd like to help you build your business by sharing them.

ù Join the BC Business Network and showcase investment opportunities worldwide www.britishcolumbia.ca

ù Profile your business in our Invest Maple Ridge "Business Showcase" campaign: Share a cool photo and description of your business with us and we'll choose a few each week to profile on our Facebook page and print articles. Interested? Send an email to invest@mapleridge.ca include the name and address of your business, contact information, a photo and in 50 words or fewer tell us why you love doing business in Maple Ridge.

ù Join www.shopmapleridge.com.

ù We hope you'll "like us" on Facebook: Search for us "Invest Maple Ridge" to stay up to date with all the projects and news from our Invest Maple Ridge team.

Downtown Maple Ridge is one of the best anywhere and a big part of why so many are making the move to live and invest here. This summer Memorial Peace Park is the place to be for free family fun with music, activities and festivals all summer long with the Discover Maple Ridge Weekends 2012 promotion.

Saturdays enjoy the wildly popular Haney Farmers Market. Sundays there's something for everyone at Family Day in the Park. All the fun begins on www.mapleridgeweekends.com where you can enter a contest for your chance to win great prizes; follow on Twitter @MapleRidgeWknds and share what's going on while you're here. What a great way to invite others to experience all the fun! Download itineraries and get set to come out and enjoy!

- Sandy Blue is manager for Strategic Economic Development for Maple Ridge