Eastern Ontario Development Fund — Business project grants
ON, Canada
Grants to grow or expand in eastern Ontario
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateDecember 07, 2023
- grant_single|closingDateFebruary 08, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Transportation and warehousing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Ontario
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Grants of up to $1.5 million for projects that encourage innovation, collaboration, cluster development, job creation and private sector investment in eastern Ontario.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Eastern Ontario Development Fund is designed to support economic growth in specific areas of eastern Ontario through targeted financial aid and services. Eligible businesses and projects must be located within designated geographical zones.
- Frontenac
- Haliburton
- Hastings
- Kawartha Lakes
- Lanark
- Leeds and Grenville
- Lennox and Addington
- Muskoka
- Northumberland
- Ottawa
- Peterborough
- Prescott and Russell
- Prince Edward
- Renfrew
- Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$400,000
Ottawa
Establishing a tech hub to foster innovation and entrepreneurship
$700,000
Brockville
Launching a regional training program for digital skills development
$250,000
Kingston
Expansion of a local organic farm enabling greater production capacity and job creation
$350,000
Belleville
Implement a tourism strategy to attract visitors to local historical sites
$650,000
Peterborough
Develop a renewable energy project to install wind turbines
$450,000
Cornwall
Establishment of a community arts center to support local artists
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for business projects under this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the business's operations, employment, investment, and location in eastern Ontario.
- The business must have at least 3 years of operational and financial statements.
- The business must employ at least 10 people, or 5 if located in rural Ontario.
- The business must commit to creating at least 5 new jobs, or achieve a 30% increase in jobs for businesses with fewer than 15 employees.
- The business must invest at least $500,000 in their project, or $200,000 if located in rural Ontario.
- The business must be located in, or plan to locate in, a community in eastern Ontario.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Eastern Ontario Development Fund provides support to existing business projects, community economic development projects, and investments for economic growth in Eastern Ontario. Eligible applicants include: existing businesses in operation for at least 3 years with a minimum of 10 employees (or 5 in rural areas), and municipalities, economic development organizations, or sector organizations. Businesses must commit to creating new jobs and investing a specified amount in their project. Community projects must focus on regional economic development and demonstrate measurable outcomes.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
The Eastern Ontario Development Fund outlines specific types of companies and industries that are not eligible for funding. These restrictions ensure that the funds are allocated to projects that align with strategic economic development goals.
- Ongoing operations including maintenance and capital replacement.
- Refinancing of existing business operations.
- Acquisitions and buyouts.
- Restructuring, or relocating to other jurisdictions within Ontario.
- Primary production.
- Retail operations.
- Construction projects like residential development.
- Personal services.
- Consulting services.
- Electricity generation.
- Waste management or recycling operations.
- Information and communication services.
- Academic research projects.
- Stand-alone restaurants and hotels, unless considered transformative and a regional priority.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant supports projects aimed at economic and business development in eastern Ontario. Eligible activities include innovation, skills development, and creating sustainable jobs.
- Investment in business growth initiatives.
- Projects focused on improving productivity.
- Innovation-focused projects.
- Skills development and training activities.
- Efforts to access new markets.
- Projects generating regional economic impact.
- Cultural and economic development initiatives.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Eligible expenses for the Eastern Ontario Development Fund are those that contribute to project execution and success.
- Capital investments directly related to business growth or market access.
- Investment in innovation and skills development.
- Infrastructure investments for community economic development projects.
- Activities that focus on measurable economic and business development outcomes.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the Eastern Ontario Development Fund are based on criteria reflecting the fund’s goals of investment attraction and job creation.
- Alignment with the fund’s goals of investment attraction and job creation.
- Provision of economic benefits such as job creation, regional contribution, or sector development.
- Project feasibility, including the applicant’s financing, project management structure, and experience to implement the project.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for the Eastern Ontario Development Fund:
- Step 1: Complete Online Self-Assessment
- Determine your eligibility for the Business or Community Stream by completing the online self-assessment tool.
- Step 2: Consult with a Regional Advisor
- Contact a regional advisor to discuss your project and receive support with your application.
- Step 3: Register with Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON)
- Register your organization on TPON, the Province of Ontario’s online application system for grant funding.
- Ensure all necessary information, such as legal business name and official documents like the Canadian Revenue Agency Business Number, are available and correctly entered.
- Step 4: Application Submission
- Work with your regional advisor to complete the application form on TPON.
- Gather and provide any required supplemental information.
- Submit your application through TPON before the deadline for the current application intake period.
- Ensure all information provided is accurate and complete to avoid delays.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Projects must be a distinct undertaking separate from the ongoing operations of the business.
- Loans under this fund are interest-free during the project period (up to four years), and a portion may be forgiven if targets are met.
- Grants are only available for specific circumstances such as strategic projects or those in rural areas.
- The fund cannot be combined with other provincial programs to "stack" funding.
- Successful applicants may receive complementary services despite the funding decision.
- There is a requirement to discuss the project with a regional advisor prior to submission.
Apply to this program
Unlocking Economic Growth in Eastern Ontario
The Eastern Ontario Development Fund provides crucial financial support and resources to businesses, municipalities, and not-for-profit organizations aiming to drive economic development and job creation in Eastern Ontario. By offering funding and complementary services, the program seeks to bolster business expansion, innovation, and regional economic impacts, ensuring a sustainable economic future for the region.
Understanding the Eastern Ontario Development Fund
The Eastern Ontario Development Fund is a pivotal initiative aimed at nurturing the economic landscape of Eastern Ontario through strategic investments in business expansion and community economic development projects. Designed to harness the potential of the region's businesses and communities, the fund specifically targets projects that align with its core objectives: stimulating business growth, enhancing productivity, promoting innovation, and cultivating new market opportunities, all while generating positive economic impacts throughout the region.
Eligible business projects under this fund must demonstrate a commitment to significant investment and job creation, reflecting the fund's emphasis on impactful regional economic development. Businesses are encouraged to undertake projects that lead to measurable economic benefits, such as job creation, increased market access, and refined operational efficiencies. The project scope extends beyond routine operations, focusing on distinct projects that offer transformative growth opportunities.
Community economic development projects, on the other hand, are championed by municipalities, economic development entities, or sector organizations. These projects must prioritize infrastructure investment and strategic initiatives that align with regional economic priorities, facilitating notable private sector growth and job creation. The fund mandates that these projects should lead to accountable and quantifiable outcomes, thereby boosting the regional economic framework.
Strategically located to support the economic aspirations of 15 geographic areas within Eastern Ontario, including Ottawa, Peterborough, and Prince Edward, the fund fosters an environment that is conducive to business innovation and expansion. Its geographic focus ensures that all parts of the region benefit equitably from the economic development efforts and opportunities provided by the fund.
The funding structure for business projects includes both grants and loans, offering up to 15% of eligible project costs with specific caps. The interest-free loan offered by the fund is a notable financial tool, forgiving up to 30% of the principal if predefined project and job targets are met. This unique attribute encourages businesses to strive for excellence and gain favorable funding outcomes, promoting robust project execution.
For community projects, the fund covers up to 50% of eligible costs, ensuring substantial financial support that can catalyze extensive community enhancements and drive community-led economic empowerment. The ability to pair financial support with complementary advisory services enhances the program's value, offering comprehensive support to enhace project effectiveness and strategic alignment with regional needs.
Applying for the Eastern Ontario Development Fund involves a clear, structured process designed to prepare applicants comprehensively. It begins with a self-assessment, followed by engaging a regional advisor to fine-tune project proposals. Registration on the Transfer Payment Ontario system is obligatory, facilitating streamlined online application submissions. Throughout this process, the fund demands attention to detail, compelling applicants to present thorough, viable projects that adhere to its objectives and guidelines.
The competitive nature of the fund's selection process ensures that only high-impact projects receive financial backing. Successful applications must convincingly demonstrate alignment with the fund's goals of investment attraction and the capacity to execute projects efficiently. Projects are scrutinized for their potential to generate significant economic and employment outcomes, ensuring responsible allocation of available funds to maximize regional growth.
Ultimately, the Eastern Ontario Development Fund offers a strategic opportunity for businesses and communities to secure the resources required to drive economic prosperity in Eastern Ontario. By facilitating substantial financial investment and supporting a diversity of projects, the fund reinforces its commitment to a vibrant and sustainable regional economy, fostering innovation and resilience in the face of economic challenges.
