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Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Community economic development projects

Support for economic growth in eastern Ontario

Offered by
Government of Ontario
Official source: ontario.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 1,500,000
Up to 50% of project cost
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
For-profit businesses
See full eligibility

Overview

The Eastern Ontario Development Fund supports businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations in eastern Ontario with financial assistance for economic development projects. Eligible work includes equipment and machinery, infrastructure or facility modifications, and skills training to help companies grow, improve productivity and create jobs.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$1,500,000
Maximum share of project costs
50%
Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Increase operational productivity
  • Access new markets

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Ontario
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Rural or Northern Residents
  • Canadians
Legal structures
Non-profit, Public or Parapublic institution
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
Rural / Remote communities, Business owners / entrepreneurs, Community leaders
Scope
Municipal, Regional

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2025
Periods: 1

Latest changes

Eligibility guidance updated

The project eligibility page now spells out primary production examples, including mining, agriculture, and forestry, as ineligible sectors.

See more

The project eligibility and criteria page now gives examples for the ineligible primary-production category: mining, agriculture, and forestry. The page’s updated date also changed from February 13, 2026 to June 17, 2026, but that date is not an application deadline.

Official source: ontario.ca
October 11, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • For-profit businesses
  • Municipalities
  • Not-for-profit organizations

Who is not eligible

  • Sole proprietorships.
  • Charities.
  • Distributors.
  • Start-ups.

Eligible expenses

  • Project-related equipment and machinery
  • Infrastructure and facility modifications or upgrades
  • One-time internal labour, materials, specialized expertise, and skills training
  • Project-related permits or fees

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Ongoing operations, including maintenance and capital replacement
  • Refinancing of existing business operations
  • Acquisitions and buyouts
  • Restructurings or relocations to other jurisdictions within Ontario

Eligible geographic areas

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

Activities funded

  • Investments in equipment, new technology, talent and training to enhance productivity, competitiveness and growth.
  • Investment in existing operations that lead to business expansion and the introduction of new products, services or markets.
  • Municipal infrastructure projects to secure private sector investment.
  • Consortium projects to address competitiveness limitations, promote technological adoption, develop supply chains for new foreign direct investment, implement an economic development strategy, or advance regional planning priorities.

How to apply

  • Complete the online self assessment tool.
  • Contact a regional advisor for help with your application.
  • Register for Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON).
  • Work with your regional advisor to complete the application form and submit the application on TPON along with the required supplemental information.

Documents Needed

  • Application form
  • Cash flow forecast
  • Articles of incorporation
  • Corporate family tree
  • Three years of financial statements

Selection criteria

  • Alignment with the fund’s goals of investment attraction and job creation.
  • Regional economic development benefits and relation to other projects under consideration.
  • Achievability, including the necessary financing, project management structure and experience to implement the project.

Processing and Agreement

  • A funding agreement with the Province of Ontario must be signed before any payment is made.
  • Sources of project financing and proof of insurance of at least $2 million must be in place before disbursements.
  • Disbursements are made in arrears in annual instalments and cannot exceed the annual cap set by the Government of Ontario.
  • For grants, a performance payment usually 20% or more of the total funding is paid after project completion and final reporting is received to Ontario’s satisfaction.
  • Funding agreements can require annual financial statements, project status reports, and a third-party auditor’s certificate at the recipient’s expense.

Additional information

  • Complementary services and supports are available for the duration of the project regardless of the funding outcome.
  • Business projects may receive advisory services, assistance with environmental compliance approvals, help accessing skills and talent, and information on leveraging available tax credits.
  • Community economic development projects may receive advisory services and navigation support for land-use planning and workforce development.

Contacts

rdp@ontario.ca
1-800-267-6592

Official sources

Eastern Ontario Development Fund

Program guide

Appendix A: Eligible and ineligible cost categoriesAppendix A: Eligible and ineligible cost categoriesAppendix B: job creation and definition

Application form

Application formApplication form
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Community economic development projects Program

What is the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Community economic development projects?

The Eastern Ontario Development Fund supports businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations in eastern Ontario with financial assistance for economic development projects. Eligible work includes equipment and machinery, infrastructure or facility modifications, and skills training to help companies grow, improve productivity and create jobs.

How much funding can be received?

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Community economic development projects Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,500,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Community economic development projects program?

To be eligible for the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Community economic development projects program, you must: Businesses must have at least 3 years of operations and financial statements. Businesses must employ at least 10 people, or 5 in rural Ontario, and commit to creating at least 5 new jobs or a 30% increase for companies with fewer than 15 employees. Businesses must invest at least $500,000, or $200,000 in rural Ontario, and be located in, or plan to locate in, eastern Ontario.

What expenses are eligible under Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Community economic development projects?

Project-related equipment and machinery Infrastructure and facility modifications or upgrades One-time internal labour, materials, specialized expertise, and skills training Project-related permits or fees

Who can I contact for more information about the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Community economic development projects?

You can contact Government of Ontario by email at rdp@ontario.ca or by phone at 1-800-267-6592.

Where is the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Community economic development projects available?

The Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Community economic development projects program is available the province of Ontario.

Is the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Community economic development projects a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Community economic development projects is a Grant and Funding