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Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Business project loans - Ontario - Canada
Open
Source verified July 30, 2026

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Business project loans

Support for business growth in eastern Ontario
Offered by
Government of Ontario
Official source: ontario.ca
Latest source update
Last Update: July 15, 2026
Latest change: The Eastern Ontario Development Fund page now shows three 2027 application periods, and the eligibility guidance page adds mining, agriculture, and forestry to the primary-production example list.
View change
EODF timelines updated; eligibility examples revised
The Eastern Ontario Development Fund page now shows three 2027 application periods with submission windows, deadlines, and notification dates: February 18, 2027 to May 20, 2027 with a May 20, 2027 deadline and August 17, 2027 notification; June 30, 2027 to September 21, 2027 with a September 21, 2027 deadline and December 16, 2027 notification; and October 20, 2027 to January 11, 2028 with a January 11, 2028 deadline and April 5, 2028 notification. The Project eligibility and criteria guidance page also expands the primary-production example list to explicitly name mining, agriculture, and forestry as ineligible sectors.
Funding available
$ 5,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply

For-profit businesses (legal entities) registered to carry out business in Ontario

See full eligibility

Overview

The Eastern Ontario Development Fund offers up to 15% of eligible project costs to for-profit businesses registered in Ontario for expansion and investment projects in eastern Ontario. Eligible activities include equipment and technology investments, training and talent development, and business expansion that introduces new products, services or markets.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Develop a new product or service
  • Increase operational productivity
  • Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
  • Up to 15% of project cost
Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Ontario
Legal structures
  • For-profit business
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • 5 employees minimum
Audience
  • All groups

Next Steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Investments in equipment, new technologies, talent and training to enhance business productivity and competitiveness, leading to growth
  • Investment in new operations in eastern Ontario
  • Investment in existing operations that lead to business expansion and introduction of new products or services, or new markets

Documents Needed

  • Completed application form, including Part 1: Eligibility Checklist and Part 2: Application Form
  • Cash flow with sufficient detail on receipts and payments during the project period and the four-year loan repayment period
  • Copy of articles of incorporation and/or letters patent
  • Corporate family tree showing the parent, affiliates and related entities of the applicant and their relationships
  • Financial statements from the last three fiscal years, audited or prepared as review engagement financial statements; grant applicants with revenues under $5 million may submit compilation engagement financial statements at the application stage

Official resources

Official page

Eastern Ontario Development Fund

Program guide

Appendix A: Eligible and ineligible cost categories

Appendix B: job creation and definition

Appendix B: Key terms of funding agreements

Application form

Application form

Application form

Application form

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) and Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF)

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • For-profit businesses (legal entities) registered to carry out business in Ontario

Who is not eligible

  • Start ups
  • Companies related to a current recipient through a parent or ownership
  • Applications submitted by a third party on behalf of an applicant will not be considered

Eligible expenses

  • Construction, project facility modifications or upgrades, and site servicing or power service upgrades required to execute the project
  • Equipment and machinery necessary for the successful completion of the project, including new technology and new high-performance equipment and machinery
  • One-time labour directly related to project costs and incremental specialized labour directly related to the project
  • Direct materials necessary for the completion of the project, including materials used for configuring and testing production processes and systems, training employees, and prototypes
  • Specialized expertise, skills training and related training materials or infrastructure, and permits, inspections, and other fees directly attributable to the project

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Ongoing operations including maintenance and capital replacement, and ongoing operational or production labour costs
  • Refinancing existing business operations, acquisitions and buyouts, restructurings, relocations to other jurisdictions within Ontario, and mergers and acquisitions
  • Projects in primary production, retail, construction, personal services, consulting, electricity generation, waste management, recycling, information and communication services, academic research, and stand-alone restaurants and hotels unless transformative and considered a regional priority
  • Purchase of land or buildings, landscaping and staff parking lots, and the purchase, lease, or operation of vehicles or off-site equipment
  • Materials used for regular production of saleable items, wages of staff while receiving training, training costs supported by Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, and non-project costs such as proposal preparation, travel, hospitality, debt service, taxes, and legal fees

Eligible geographic areas

  • Frontenac, Haliburton, and Hastings
  • Kawartha Lakes, Lanark, and Leeds and Grenville
  • Lennox and Addington, Muskoka, and Northumberland
  • Ottawa, Peterborough, and Prescott and Russell
  • Prince Edward, Renfrew, and Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry

Selection criteria

  • Alignment with the fund’s goals of investment attraction and job creation
  • Economic benefits such as job creation, contribution to the region or sector development
  • Project achievability, including financing, project management structure and experience to implement the project
  • Extent to which government support improves project outcomes or affects the project’s scope or timelines
  • Projects that generate regional economic impacts beyond the company will receive priority

How to apply

  • Speak with a Regional Advisor about your project.
  • Register for TPON and follow the prompts to find the program under the “Submit for Funding” section.
  • Download the application form and complete each section, as required.
  • If you are eligible according to Part 1, complete the application and upload the completed form and all supporting documents on TPON.
  • Make sure that the application form is authorized by an individual with authority to bind the company.

Processing and Agreement

  • Applicants will be notified of decisions within approximately 60 business days of the application deadline.
  • If approved, the applicant must enter into a funding agreement with the Province of Ontario before any payments are made.
  • Before funding is disbursed, the company must provide evidence of project financing, proof of insurance with a minimum of $2 million, and meet any other disbursement conditions.
  • Disbursements are made in arrears in annual instalments subject to an annual cap, and Ontario may make an initial payment of up to 20% of the support at its sole discretion once disbursement conditions are met.
  • Recipients must meet annual reporting requirements, and funding agreements may require full or partial repayment or reductions to the forgivable portion of a loan if performance commitments are not achieved.

Additional information

  • A project must be a distinct undertaking, separate from ongoing operations, that will result in benefits to the organization such as business growth or access to new markets.
  • Complementary Services and Supports are available when you submit a complete application through the Regional Development Program and remain available for the duration of the project regardless of the funding outcome.
  • This is a discretionary, non-entitlement program, so submitting an application or being encouraged to apply does not guarantee funding or services.
  • Working with an external firm to prepare an application has no bearing on the success rate of an applicant.

Contacts

eodf@ontario.ca
+14163148880

Other components of this program

Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Business project loans Program

What is the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Business project loans?

The Eastern Ontario Development Fund offers up to 15% of eligible project costs to for-profit businesses registered in Ontario for expansion and investment projects in eastern Ontario. Eligible activities include equipment and technology investments, training and talent development, and business expansion that introduces new products, services or markets.

How much funding can be received?

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Business project loans Funds up to 15% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,000,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Business project loans program?

To be eligible for the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Business project loans program, you must: For-profit business registered to carry out business in Ontario At least 10 FTEs, or 5 FTEs in a rural community Minimum of three years of substantive operating experience

What expenses are eligible under Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Business project loans?

Investments in equipment, new technologies, talent and training to enhance business productivity and competitiveness, leading to growth Investment in new operations in eastern Ontario Investment in existing operations that lead to business expansion and introduction of new products or services, or new markets

Who can I contact for more information about the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Business project loans?

You can contact Government of Ontario by email at eodf@ontario.ca or by phone at +14163148880.

Where is the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Business project loans available?

The Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Business project loans program is available the province of Ontario.

Is the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Business project loans a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Business project loans is a Loans and Capital investments