Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Community economic development projects
grant_single|update January 24, 2025
ON, Canada
Grants for economic development in eastern Ontario
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDate December 7, 2023
- grant_single|closingDate February 8, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Ontario
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Receive a grant of up to $1.5 million to cover up to 50% of eligible costs for projects that focus on job creation and economic and business development in eastern Ontario.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
The Eastern Ontario Development Fund provides support through specific financing modalities to aid eligible projects that strengthen the region's economic development. These modalities are aimed at ensuring effective and accountable use of resources to promote regional growth and job creation.
- Performance-based grant funding covering up to 50% of eligible project costs, with a maximum limit of $1,500,000.
- Conditional grants based on meeting predefined performance metrics.
- No stacking permitted with other provincial finance sources, except for complementary services of the program.
- Maximum combined funding from federal and provincial sources is limited to 75% of the total project cost.
- Eligible project costs must be expensed between the start date of the funding agreement and the project completion date.
- Payment disbursement contingent upon evidence of financing readiness and insurance compliance.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Eastern Ontario Development Fund supports projects aimed at enhancing community economic development through strategic investments and collaborations. Eligible projects are designed to create infrastructure improvements, foster technological advancements, and facilitate private sector investments that lead to regional growth and job creation.
- Investment in municipal infrastructure to attract private sector investments and facilitate job creation.
- Forming consortia between communities and businesses to tackle competitiveness limitations or adopt technology.
- Developing supply chains that support new foreign direct investments.
- Consortium projects between municipalities to implement a comprehensive economic development strategy.
- Executing priorities from regional or provincial strategic plans or previous business cases aimed at regional development.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 750,000
Building a new community center to enhance local economic development and job opportunities
$ 250,000
Establishing a new pottery studio to boost local arts and crafts economy
$ 300,000
Launching a vocational training program to improve skills and employment rates
$ 500,000
Opening a new tech workshop space to enhance local innovation and job creation
$ 400,000
Expanding a local food cooperative to support sustainable food practices
$ 350,000
Upgrading the local library to provide advanced learning resources and job training programs
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this fund requires the applicant to meet several specific criteria related to their business operations and investment plans.
- The business must have at least 3 years of operations with 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 target a 30% increase in employment for businesses with fewer than 15 employees.
- The business must invest at least $500,000 in their project, or $200,000 if they are in rural Ontario.
- The business must be located in, or plan to relocate to, a community in eastern Ontario.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Eastern Ontario Development Fund is available to entities located within the defined geographic regions of Eastern Ontario. Eligible applicants include:- Municipalities and Indigenous Communities: Within the specified regions, they can apply for support projects aimed at economic development.- Incorporated Non-Governmental Organizations: These organizations must have an economic development mandate or function, such as industry or sector associations.- Consortiums of Businesses: Such consortiums must include at least one not-for-profit organization leading the effort.In addition to organizational eligibility, the projects must comply with specific requirements, such as committing to a minimum investment amount of $100,000, demonstrating private sector support, and creating measurable outcomes in terms of investment, job growth, and new market accesses.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain projects and industries mainly related to specific businesses' ongoing operations or core activities. These restrictions are set to align with the program's economic development goals in eastern Ontario.
- Projects related to 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 businesses.
- Construction projects, such as residential development.
- Personal services operations.
- Consulting businesses.
- Electricity generation companies.
- Waste management and recycling industries.
- Information and communication services.
- Academic research.
- Stand-alone restaurants and hotels, unless they are transformative and considered a regional priority.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Eastern Ontario Development Fund provides financial assistance for projects that stimulate economic growth and job creation in eastern Ontario. Eligible projects focus on business growth, productivity improvement, innovation, skills development, market expansion, and community economic development.
- Projects aimed at business growth through strategic investments.
- Initiatives that focus on improving productivity within businesses.
- Projects promoting innovation and skills development.
- Efforts to enter or expand in new markets.
- Community projects that invest in infrastructure supporting economic development.
- Projects that lead to significant job creation and private sector growth.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is available to companies and organizations located in specific geographical areas within Eastern Ontario. The eligible locations are focused on fostering regional economic development and growth.
- 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_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the Eastern Ontario Development Fund are based on specific criteria to ensure they align with the fund’s objectives of fostering economic development and job creation in Eastern Ontario.
- Alignment with the fund’s goals of investment attraction and job creation.
- Provision of economic benefits such as job creation and contribution to the region or sector development.
- Achievability, including the necessary financing, project management structure, and experience to implement the project successfully.
grant_single_labels|apply
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grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Complementary services and supports are available whether or not your application for funding is successful.
- Consultations with a regional advisor are required before applying to better align your project with program objectives.
- Notification of the application decision is typically provided within 60 business days of the application deadline.
- Accessing skills and talent, environmental compliance assistance, and tax credit information may be available as additional support for business projects.
- Land-use planning and workforce development navigation support may be offered as additional support for community projects.
Apply to this program
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