Platform
Consulting
Resources
Pricing
INVEST North Program — Investment – Locate Stream - Ontario - Canada
Open

INVEST North Program — Investment – Locate Stream

Supports businesses relocating operations to Northern Ontario for economic growth
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Funding available
$ 5,000,000
Timeline
  • Open continuously
Location
Northern Ontario, Ontario, Canada

Overview

The INVEST North Program — Investment – Locate Stream offers up to $5 million in conditional contributions or a mix of contributions and term loans to support businesses locating new operations in Northern Ontario. Eligible activities include capital construction, leasehold improvements, land servicing, ICT investments, as well as limited marketing and third‑party training costs.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Develop workforce skills
  • Launch or market a product/service
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
  • Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
  • Open continuously

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
  • Manufacturing
  • Information and cultural industries
  • Professional, scientific and technical services
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation
  • Other services (except public administration)
  • Public administration
Location
  • Northern Ontario
  • Ontario
Legal structures
  • For-profit business
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Rural or Northern Residents
  • Startups

Next steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Establishing new business operations in Northern Ontario, including constructing or upgrading facilities needed to operate.
  • Setting up and equipping new production, processing, or service-delivery lines as part of a business relocation to Northern Ontario.
  • Developing and servicing a business site in Northern Ontario to enable new operational activities (excluding projects focused on land development for resale or lease).
  • Implementing new information and communications technology systems to support the launch of relocated business operations in Northern Ontario.
  • Launching new products or business initiatives tied to the relocation of operations into Northern Ontario, including associated market development and workforce training.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Businesses locating new business operations to Northern Ontario
  • Tourism businesses that operate as destination accommodations for extended stays (e.g., remote outfitters, family vacation resorts)

Who is not eligible

  • Retail and consumer service businesses that primarily earn their revenue by selling products or services directly to individual consumers.
  • Accommodation and food service businesses and related activities, including hotels and motels that mainly serve the overnight travelling public.
  • Businesses primarily involved in wholesale activities.
  • Beverage alcohol manufacturing companies, including spirit distilleries, breweries, wineries and cideries.
  • Businesses focused on commercial or industrial land and building development for resale or lease, including projects that only cover site servicing or development costs.

Eligible expenses

  • Capital construction costs related to establishing new business operations in Northern Ontario.
  • Leasehold improvements to prepare or upgrade rented premises for the new operations.
  • Land servicing costs (e.g., servicing a site to make it ready for use, excluding land purchase or lease).
  • Investments in information and communications technology (ICT), such as hardware, software and related systems required for the new operations.
  • Marketing expenses for new products and business initiatives, up to 20% of all other eligible project costs or $75,000, whichever is less.
  • Training costs paid to third-party providers, up to 20% of all other eligible project costs.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Businesses locating new business operations in Northern Ontario.

Additional information

  • The program may make exceptions to certain eligibility rules for projects that address a priority economic need in Northern Ontario, at the discretion of the NOHFC Board of Directors.
  • The applicant is expected to secure the remaining financing required to complete the project beyond any support approved by NOHFC.
  • The applicant may be required to repay NOHFC if assets financed through this program are sold after the project is completed.
  • Limited funds are available and funding decisions are made by the NOHFC Board of Directors, so not all applications that meet the guidelines will receive support.

Contacts

1-800-461-8329

Frequently Asked Questions about the INVEST North Program — Investment – Locate Stream Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the INVEST North Program — Investment – Locate Stream. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the INVEST North Program — Investment – Locate Stream?

The INVEST North Program — Investment – Locate Stream offers up to $5 million in conditional contributions or a mix of contributions and term loans to support businesses locating new operations in Northern Ontario. Eligible activities include capital construction, leasehold improvements, land servicing, ICT investments, as well as limited marketing and third‑party training costs.

How much funding can be received?

INVEST North Program — Investment – Locate Stream Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,000,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the INVEST North Program — Investment – Locate Stream program?

To be eligible for the INVEST North Program — Investment – Locate Stream program, you must: Business locating new business operations to Northern Ontario. Project located within NOHFC’s eligible Northern Ontario region. Applicant able to secure remaining financing for project costs.

What expenses are eligible under INVEST North Program — Investment – Locate Stream?

Establishing new business operations in Northern Ontario, including constructing or upgrading facilities needed to operate. Setting up and equipping new production, processing, or service-delivery lines as part of a business relocation to Northern Ontario. Developing and servicing a business site in Northern Ontario to enable new operational activities (excluding projects focused on land development for resale or lease). Implementing new information and communications technology systems to support the launch of relocated business operations in Northern Ontario. Launching new products or business initiatives tied to the relocation of operations into Northern Ontario, including associated market development and workforce training.

Who can I contact for more information about the INVEST North Program — Investment – Locate Stream?

You can contact Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) or by phone at 1-800-461-8329.

Where is the INVEST North Program — Investment – Locate Stream available?

The INVEST North Program — Investment – Locate Stream program is available Northern Ontario, Ontario.

Is the INVEST North Program — Investment – Locate Stream a grant, loan, or tax credit?

INVEST North Program — Investment – Locate Stream is a Grant and Funding

More programs like this