Funding Secured: $116,050 (matched to $232,100 total project value)
Program: Ontario Rural Economic Development (RED) Program
Project: Future Ready Norfolk, a comprehensive initiative to support business growth, workforce quality of life, DEI training, and newcomer attraction.
Building a Stronger Future for Norfolk County
Like many rural communities, Norfolk County is working to strengthen its economy by creating opportunities for local businesses and ensuring that workers and families see Norfolk as a great place to live and grow. But building this kind of future requires resources, planning, and collaboration.
With support from GrantMatch, Norfolk secured $116,050 in funding through the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program, which will be matched locally for a total of $232,100 in project investments.
This win provides a direct boost to Future Ready Norfolk, a multi-pronged strategy designed to support small businesses, improve workplace inclusivity, and attract new residents.
A Competitive and Challenging Program
The RED Program is one of Ontario’s most competitive funding opportunities for rural municipalities. It focuses on projects that stimulate business development, diversify local economies, and create jobs. With so many applicants across the province, standing out requires a clear plan and strong alignment with program goals.
GrantMatch’s Role in Norfolk’s Success
Norfolk partnered with GrantMatch Funding Specialists to refine and elevate their application for maximum impact. GrantMatch ensured that each element of the Future Ready Norfolk initiative aligned with RED’s funding priorities:
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Business Engagement: Supporting growth opportunities for local companies.
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Worker Quality of Life: Exploring new strategies to retain and attract skilled talent.
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Providing training opportunities for businesses to strengthen workplace culture.
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Newcomer Attraction: Developing a web portal to connect newcomers to services, opportunities, and the broader community.
By weaving these initiatives into one cohesive narrative, GrantMatch helped Norfolk demonstrate both impact and deliverability, making the application stand out in a highly competitive review process.
Community Leadership and Vision
Norfolk leaders emphasized how this funding represents not just dollars, but a commitment to the community’s future.
“We are investing directly in the businesses and workers who power our economy. Future Ready Norfolk is about unlocking potential and ensuring our County is ready for the opportunities of tomorrow.”
— Mayor Amy Martin
This perspective underscores how strategic funding applications, when backed by expert guidance, can translate into community transformation.
Why This Matters for Norfolk
The Future Ready Norfolk project is about more than short-term growth. It represents a longer-term municipal strategy that will:
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Equip businesses with tools and training to thrive.
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Make Norfolk more attractive to skilled workers and new families.
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Support inclusive, diverse, and welcoming communities.
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Build resilience and competitiveness in a rural economy.
With this funding secured, Norfolk is better positioned to achieve its long-term economic development goals while reinforcing its identity as a forward-looking municipality.
Partnering for Success
Norfolk’s RED grant is a model of how strategic alignment, strong storytelling, and expert funding support can lead to success in even the most competitive programs.
For municipalities seeking to invest in economic development, housing growth, or infrastructure renewal, GrantMatch provides the expertise to unlock funding opportunities and turn bold ideas into reality.
👉 Ready to position your municipality for success? Contact Us Today
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