How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 250000% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Rural Economic Development (RED) program?

Rural Economic Development (RED) program is funded by Government of Ontario

What are Rural Economic Development (RED) program's eligibility criterias?

The applicant must be a municipality. The applicant must be a not-for-profit entity. The applicant must be an Ontario Indigenous community or organization or a Local Services Board.

Rural Economic Development (RED) program

Last Update: February 28, 2025

ON, Canada

Supports rural community economic development in Ontario

Rural Economic Development (RED) program at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $250,000

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

All industries

Grant Providers

Government of Ontario

Status

Open

Overview of the Rural Economic Development (RED) program program

The Rural Economic Development (RED) program provides up to $250,000 in funding to support activities aimed at strengthening rural communities through economic diversification, infrastructure improvements, and workforce attraction and retention. Eligible projects include economic infrastructure development, technology adoption initiatives, and business succession support.

Financing terms and conditions

Economic Diversification and Competitiveness Stream: Provides up to 50% of eligible project costs with a maximum of $150,000.
Strategic Economic Infrastructure Stream: Offers up to 30% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $250,000.
Funding is calculated based on the total eligible costs outlined in the application.
Funding may be provided at the requested amount or percentage, or at a reduced amount or percentage, subject to stream limits.
The maximum eligible project costs cannot be increased after submission.
Project timeframes cannot be extended without written approval from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).
All selected applicants must enter into a contribution agreement with the Province of Ontario.
Applicants have joint and several liability for any funded project.

Eligible projects & activities

Entrepreneurship and business succession support, including coaching, mentorship, and connecting buyers with retiring business owners.
Business retention and expansion initiatives as part of the OMAFRA's Business Retention and Expansion Program, including market data collection and action plan implementation.
Downtown revitalization projects that promote and improve traditional downtowns, such as customer traffic growth and business attraction through marketing.
Technology adoption and innovation initiatives to enhance digital capabilities and participation in the information economy, including digital training and support services.
Attraction and retention strategies for workers, immigrants, and youth, such as employee pooling and career days/events.
Collaborative marketing and outreach campaigns that impact multiple communities, including investment attraction and tourism promotion.
Sector and value chain development strategies to strengthen collaboration, such as buyer-seller forums and specialized business training.
Rehabilitation of cultural, heritage, or tourism attractions to support economic development, like restoring historical buildings.
Redevelopment of vacant or underutilized buildings for economic development purposes, such as creating incubators or innovation hubs.
Streetscaping and landscaping projects to improve public area design quality, including beautification efforts with decorative elements and public art.

Eligibility criteria of the Rural Economic Development (RED) program program

The applicant must be a municipality, a not-for-profit entity, an Ontario Indigenous community or organization, or a Local Services Board.

Who is eligible?

Municipalities
Not-for-profit entities
Ontario Indigenous communities or organizations
Local Services Boards

Eligible expenses

Non-capital costs for projects under the Economic Diversification and Competitiveness Stream.
Minor capital costs for projects under the Strategic Economic Infrastructure Stream.

Eligible geographic areas

Rural communities in Ontario, Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the Rural Economic Development (RED) program program

Basic eligibility criteria, including that the project takes place in and benefits rural Ontario.
Alignment with the RED program’s outcomes.
Collaboration and partnerships.
Reducing economic barriers.
Regional, sector, or value chain impacts.
Project work plan.
Project budget, including reasonable and eligible project costs.
Financial commitment.
Sustainability beyond the project timelines.
Project oversight.

Additional information

The program is now closed and new guidelines and applications for the Rural Ontario Development Program will be available in late winter 2025.
The timeframe of the project cannot be extended without the written approval of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).
All selected applicants must enter into a contribution agreement with the Province of Ontario.
All applicants have joint and several liability for any funded project.
Funding may be provided at the amount or percentage requested, or at a reduced amount or percentage, subject to limits within each stream.