REGI — Targeted Manufacturing Initiative for Northern Ontario

Funding for this initiative involves specific terms and conditions to ensure financial support aligns with project goals. Beneficiaries must adhere to defined contribution limits and repayment terms.

• Assistance available for SMEs is repayable, ensuring funds are returned under agreed terms.
• FedNor will typically contribute up to 33% of eligible capital costs.
• FedNor can cover up to 50% of eligible non-capital costs.
• Costs incurred prior to funding approval are generally ineligible unless prior written consent is obtained from FedNor.

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's business operations and location.

• The applicant must be an established manufacturer.
• The manufacturer must be located in Northern Ontario.
• The primary line of business must be the manufacture of a commercial product.
• The business must be planning for growth.

Who is eligible?

Who is not eligible

This grant is focused on supporting established manufacturers in Northern Ontario, and as such, companies outside this scope are not eligible. This ensures that the funding is directed toward manufacturers whose primary business is producing commercial products.

• Companies not located in Northern Ontario.
• Businesses whose primary activity is not manufacturing a commercial product.

Eligible expenses

This grant supports the modernization and enhancement of manufacturing processes to increase productivity and competitiveness in Northern Ontario's manufacturing sector. Eligible activities focus on upgrading equipment and implementing operational improvements that lead to enhanced manufacturing capabilities.

• Improving and modernizing the manufacturing process to boost productivity and competitiveness.
• Purchases of plant equipment, including digital hardware and software integral to the manufacturing process.
• Installation and commissioning of new manufacturing equipment.
• Training on the utilization of new equipment.
• Implementing recommendations from operational assessments, such as lean manufacturing, ISO certification, quality controls, and ICT improvements.
• Upgrading and modernizing production facilities, including automation and robotics.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant supports manufacturers located in Northern Ontario, reflecting FedNor's commitment to the regional economy. Eligibility is determined by the operational location of the companies within these geographical boundaries.

• All areas within Northern Ontario, Canada.

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria with a focus on the project's contribution to FedNor's objectives for enhancing manufacturing in Northern Ontario.

• Project's potential to enhance manufacturing capability and efficiently modernize the production facilities.
• Contribution to creating a modernized and competitive manufacturing sector in Northern Ontario.
• Increase in export sales and profitability as a result of the project.
• Comprehensive work plan detailing productivity improvements or equipment upgrades, including clear milestones and timelines.
• Evidence of operational capacity to implement the project successfully based on past financial performance and results.
• Reasonable forecast results demonstrating how the project will benefit the business operations with target performance measures.
• Identification and articulation of the project's expected benefits for Northern Ontario.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• Funding assistance is generally repayable for SMEs.
• FedNor typically contributes up to 33% of eligible capital costs and up to 50% of eligible non-capital costs.
• Costs incurred before application approval are generally ineligible for reimbursement unless written consent is given by FedNor.
• Project benefits must accrue to Northern Ontario to be considered eligible.
• An overview of how the competitive landscape was reviewed must be included in the application.