Nine projects have been identified in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and Mission as part of the provincial government's jobs plan.

The project ideas are the result of a forum held on Dec. 8 where representatives from local governments, business, industry, First Nations, and education brainstormed about how to create employment opportunities.

The shortlist was developed during a meeting Friday in Pitt Meadows.

The ideas include an international aviation education and business park at the airport in Pitt Meadows, an eco-industrial park, an agri-food distribution hub, a business innovation accelerator, aa green building technologies centre, and a working farm school.

Jobs, tourism, and innovation Minister Pat Bell appointed Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton as the provincial lead for the regional steering committee.

In the past two months, the steering committee has studied each project and whittled down the potential projects to nine.

On Friday, the committee presented the selected projects to pilot participants, who were encouraged to comment on each initiative.

Members of the committee also explained the process employed to select the nine projects and outline the next steps in the process.

"The North Fraser communities have a lot to offer the provincial economy, and these projects will help us attract investment and create local jobs," Dalton said. "By uniting the whole region, we help ensure our vision and efforts are successful."

"The steering committee has done a fantastic job in getting everybody together and analyzing their ideas," said Kate Zanon, economic development officer for Pitt Meadows and a director of Invest North Fraser. "I have no doubt that the final projects selected will bring investment and jobs to North Fraser."