Rural Enhancement Employment Program — Private Sector Businesses

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Who is eligible for the Rural Enhancement Employment Program — Private Sector Businesses program?

To be eligible for the Rural Enhancement Employment Program — Private Sector Businesses program, you must: • The applicant must be a private sector business or a not-for-profit organization located in PEI's rural areas. • The applicant must employ new employees as part of the program.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Rural Enhancement Employment Program — Private Sector Businesses?

You can contact Government of Prince Edward Island.

Q: Where is the Rural Enhancement Employment Program — Private Sector Businesses available?

The Rural Enhancement Employment Program — Private Sector Businesses program is available the province of Prince Edward Island.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

PE, Canada

Wage subsidy for rural PEI businesses

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $14,400
Up to 75% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Wage Subsidies And Interns

Eligible Industries

All industries

Funds Providers

Government of Prince Edward Island

Program status

Open

Overview

Get funding to cover up to 50% of a position up to a rate of $18.00/hour (inclusive of vacation pay) for up to 20 weeks based on a 40-hour week.

Financing terms and conditions

The Rural Enhancement Employment Program offers structured financing modalities for private sector employers and not-for-profit organizations in rural areas. These modalities are designed to support wage subsidies for effective employment development.

50 per cent wage subsidies for private sector employers.
75 per cent wage subsidies for not-for-profit organizations.
Subsidy rate coverage of up to $18 per hour for a maximum period of 20 weeks.
Limit of one subsidy per applicant per year.

Activities funded

Initiatives for training new employees in rural sectors.
Mentorship programs to integrate new workers into the rural economic landscape.
Projects aimed at expanding employment opportunities in rural areas.
Programs designed to enhance skill development in rural communities.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 14,000

Implementing a job training initiative for youth in a social economy enterprise

$ 14,400

Creating a training program for financial literacy in a non-profit organization

$ 14,400

Establishing a job placement program for individuals with disabilities in a non-profit organization

$ 14,000

Creating an employee wellness program in a financial cooperative

$ 14,400

Developing a new mentorship program for junior employees in a tech startup

$ 12,000

Launching a training program for sustainable agriculture practices in a rural co-op

Eligibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.

The applicant must be a business or not-for-profit organization operating in PEI's rural areas.
The business or organization must intend to use the subsidy to increase economic development in rural areas of PEI through employment.
The applicant can only apply for one subsidy per year.
The wage subsidies are available for new employees who are being trained and mentored.

Who is eligible?

The Rural Enhancement Employment Program is open to businesses and not-for-profit organizations operating in Prince Edward Island's rural areas. The program is designed to support economic development by providing wage subsidies to help train and mentor new employees, encouraging growth and sustainability in these communities.

Who is not eligible

Based on the grant information provided, there is no specific mention of types of companies that are ineligible for this grant.

nothing

Eligible expenses

The Rural Enhancement Employment Program funds activities that promote economic development in rural areas of Prince Edward Island. Eligible projects are focused on providing training and employment opportunities to enhance workforce skills and support community growth.

Creating new employee training programs within rural businesses.
Developing mentorship initiatives to integrate newcomers into the workforce.
Expanding business operations to include skills development for rural workers.
Supporting not-for-profit projects aimed at community employment enhancement.
Fostering partnerships between private sectors and not-for-profit organizations to facilitate job creation.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is applicable to businesses and not-for-profit organizations in rural areas of Prince Edward Island (PEI).

Rural areas within Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Selection criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The evaluation and selection criteria include:

Economic viability of the project
Relevance to the grant's objectives
Potential impact on the Canadian economy
Feasibility and scalability of the proposed initiative

How to apply

Initial Inquiry

Contact the Employment Development Agency to express interest in the program.
Obtain detailed guidelines and eligibility criteria from the agency.

Prepare Application

Gather all relevant information about your business or organization.
Determine the position eligible for the wage subsidy and prepare a job description.
Compile documents demonstrating your need for the subsidy and potential economic impact.

Complete Online Application Form

Access the online application form on the Employment Development Agency’s website.
Fill out all required sections, including business details and subsidy request specifics.

Attach Supporting Documents

Upload any required documentation such as financial statements, business registration, and project outlines.

Review and Submit

Carefully review the entire application for completeness and accuracy.
Submit the application through the online portal before the stated deadline.

Confirmation of Submission

Receive an email confirmation that your application has been received.
Keep this confirmation for your records.

Additional information

Here is an additional relevant detail for applicants of this grant:

Employers must offer full-time employment for a minimum of 30 hours per week to be eligible for the subsidy.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Rural Enhancement Employment Program — Private Sector Businesses Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Rural Enhancement Employment Program — Private Sector Businesses. 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 Rural Enhancement Employment Program — Private Sector Businesses?

How much funding can be received?

What expenses are eligible under Rural Enhancement Employment Program — Private Sector Businesses?

The Rural Enhancement Employment Program assists businesses and not-for-profit organizations in PEI’s rural areas with economic development through wage subsidies. Eligible activities focus on training, mentoring, and employment growth initiatives. Initiatives for training new employees in rural sectors. Mentorship programs to integrate new workers into the rural economic landscape. Projects aimed at expanding employment opportunities in rural areas. Programs designed to enhance skill development in rural communities.