Rural Economic Development Program - Ontario

January 31, 2023

In Canada Funding for Municipalities Ontario Job Creation Innovation Economic Development Canada
RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - ONTARIO

The Rural Economic Development (RED) program aims to support rural communities in Ontario by opening doors to rural economic development. This program is a cost-sharing grant that advocates for activities that promote strong rural communities in Ontario.

Funding Categories

Economic Diversification and Competitiveness Stream

Funding is available to cover up to 50% of eligible  costs,  to a maximum of $150,000 for projects that: 

  • remove barriers to business and job growth
  • support investment attraction
  • strengthen sector and regional partnerships
  • diversify regional economies in rural Ontario

Strategic Economic Infrastructure Stream

Funding is available to cover up to 30% of eligible  costs,  to a maximum of $250,000 for projects that: 

  • Focus on priority economic infrastructure projects that improve physical assets identified as strategically important to the community
  • Rehabilitate and renew the assets to preserve the unique character of a community and quality of life and enhance it for future generations

Who can apply
  • A municipality
  • A not-for-profit entity
  • An Ontario Indigenous community or organization
  • A Local Services Board

What is funded

Economic Diversification and Competitiveness Stream

  • Coaching/mentorship
  • Business succession support
  • Collecting business and market data
  • Writing and implementing action plans
  • Executing actions to support local businesses in the community
  • Growing customer traffic
  • Attracting business to locate in downtowns
  • Organizational coordination efforts
  • Core area promotion
  • Community improvement plans
  • Digital training
  • Community engagement
  • Improving development and planning approvals process
  • Network development
  • Skills training and development 
  • Collaborative marketing and outreach
  • Sector/Value chain development

Strategic Economic Infrastructure Stream

  • Restoration of a historical building or structure
  • Trail rehabilitation
  • Redevelopment of vacant and/or underutilized buildings, including:
    • Development of an incubator or innovation hub
    • Youth centre
    • Agri-food hubs 
  • Wayfinding signage
  • Beautification
  • WiFi equipment/software for public use

Deadline

Feb. 22, 2023

Need some advice?

Not sure if your organization qualifies for government funding? Schedule a free assessment with us today.

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At GrantMatch, we acknowledge that our headquarters are situated on the Treaty Lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, as well as the Traditional Territory of the Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, and Anishinabek people. This land is covered by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement. We respectfully recognize that these lands’ original inhabitants and caretakers are First Nation and Métis people, and we are deeply grateful to be able to work on this land. As a remote team with employees across Turtle Island, also called North America, we would like to acknowledge the importance of the land that each of our team members calls home. GrantMatch actively encourages employees to learn about the history of the land on which they are situated and their local Indigenous peoples.