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Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business Project Grants - Ontario - Canada
Open
Source verified July 31, 2026

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business Project Grants

Support for business and community economic development
Offered by
Government of Ontario
Official source: ontario.ca
Latest source update
Last Update: July 20, 2026
Latest change: The SWODF page now shows later application periods for 2027 and early 2028, and the cost categories appendix adds a new ineligible training-cost item.
View change
SWODF timeline updated
The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund page now includes new application periods for 2027 and early 2028, including Application Period 25 2027 (February 18, 2027 to May 20, 2027), Period 26 2027 (June 30, 2027 to September 21, 2027), and Period 27 2027 (October 20, 2027 to January 11, 2028). Older period notes were also reworded as closed, and the May 27, 2026 intake note was removed. The Appendix A cost categories document was updated to add a new ineligible cost item for training costs supported by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, with a heading change to separate that item from permits and fees. A related supporting page on tax compliance status also had a minor notice removed, but no portal or contact details changed.
Funding available
$ 1,500,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply

Existing for-profit businesses registered to carry out business in Ontario.

See full eligibility

Overview

The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund supports business and community economic development projects in southwestern Ontario, offering up to 15% of eligible project costs for business projects and up to 50% for community projects. Eligible activities include business expansion, new equipment and training, and community infrastructure or regional economic development strategies.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Develop a new product or service
  • Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
  • Up to 15% of project cost
Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Ontario
Legal structures
  • For-profit business
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • 5 employees minimum
Audience
  • All groups

Next Steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Investments in equipment, new technologies, talent and training to enhance business productivity and competitiveness, leading to growth.
  • Investment in new operations in southwestern Ontario.
  • Investment in existing operations that lead to business expansion and the introduction of new products, services or markets.
  • Community economic development projects that invest in infrastructure to advance regional economic development priorities.
  • Community strategies focused on economic and business development and job creation.

Documents Needed

  • Completed application form.
  • Cash flow forecast or a cash flow that provides sufficient detail on receipts and payments during the project period and, for loans, the repayment period.
  • Copy of articles of incorporation and/or letters patent.
  • Corporate family tree for business stream projects.
  • Financial statements from the last three fiscal years.

Official resources

Official page

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund

Program guide

Appendix A: Eligible and ineligible cost categories

Appendix A: Eligible and ineligible cost categories

Appendix B: job creation and definition

Application form

Application form

Application form

Application form

Application form

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) and Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF)

Supporting document

Check your tax compliance status

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Existing for-profit businesses registered to carry out business in Ontario.
  • Municipalities and not-for-profit organizations.
  • Indigenous communities.
  • Economic development organizations or agencies and sector organizations or associations.
  • Consortia.

Who is not eligible

  • Start-ups.
  • Companies related to a current recipient through a parent or ownership.

Eligible expenses

  • Construction, municipal economic infrastructure, and project facility modifications or upgrades, including site servicing and power service upgrades.
  • Equipment and machinery required for the project, including new technology and high-performance equipment and machinery.
  • Direct project labour, including one-time setup or commissioning labour and incremental specialized labour directly related to the project.
  • Direct materials and specialized expertise required to complete the project, such as engineering, software development, or management services.
  • Training and talent costs, and business attraction costs such as presentations, consultation, and marketing materials.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Ongoing operations, including maintenance and capital replacement, and ongoing production or operational labour costs.
  • Refinancing of existing business operations, acquisitions and buyouts, and restructurings or relocations to other jurisdictions within Ontario.
  • Purchase of land or buildings, landscaping, and staff parking lots.
  • Acquisition of paid media space, travel and hospitality.
  • Replacement capital equipment, including office technology used for regular administration, and the purchase, lease or operation of vehicles or off-site equipment.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Southwestern Ontario: Brant, Bruce, Chatham-Kent, Dufferin, Elgin, Essex, Grey, Haldimand, Huron, Lambton, Middlesex, Niagara, Norfolk, Oxford, Perth, Simcoe, Waterloo, and Wellington.

Selection criteria

  • Projects must align with the fund’s goals of investment attraction and job creation in the regions.
  • Projects must provide economic benefits, such as creating jobs, contributing to the region, or developing the sector.
  • Projects must be achievable, with the necessary financing, project management structure, and experience to implement the project.

How to apply

  • Speak with an Ontario Government Regional Advisor about your project before applying.
  • Register for Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON) and find the program under the Submit for Funding section.
  • Download the application form and complete Part 1: Eligibility Checklist.
  • If eligible according to Part 1, complete Part 2: Application Form.
  • Upload the completed form and supporting documents to TPON during the application intake period.

Processing and Agreement

  • Only complete applications submitted by the application close date will be assessed, and applicants will be notified of decisions within approximately 60 business days of the application deadline.
  • If approved, the recipient must enter into a funding agreement with the Province of Ontario before any payment is made.
  • No payments will be made until the funding agreement has been signed and any conditions for disbursement have been fulfilled.
  • Disbursements are generally made in arrears in annual instalments subject to annual caps set by the Government of Ontario, and an initial payment of up to 20% may be made at Ontario’s sole discretion once conditions are met.
  • Funding agreements include commitments related to project investment and jobs, with clawbacks for grants or reductions to the forgivable portion of loans if commitments are not achieved.

Additional information

  • Applicants may also access complementary services and supports such as advisory services, assistance with compliance approvals, and help accessing skills and talent.
  • These complementary services and supports are available when a complete application is submitted through the Regional Development Program and remain available for the duration of the project regardless of the funding outcome.
  • The program is discretionary and non-entitlement, so meeting eligibility criteria and program objectives does not guarantee funding or services.

Contacts

swodf@ontario.ca
+14163148880

Other components of this program

Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business Project Grants Program

What is the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business Project Grants?

The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund supports business and community economic development projects in southwestern Ontario, offering up to 15% of eligible project costs for business projects and up to 50% for community projects. Eligible activities include business expansion, new equipment and training, and community infrastructure or regional economic development strategies.

How much funding can be received?

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business Project Grants Funds up to 15% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,500,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business Project Grants program?

To be eligible for the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business Project Grants program, you must: Business applicants must be for-profit businesses registered to carry out business in Ontario, with at least 3 years of operations and the required employee and job-creation commitments. Business projects must be located in, or plan to locate in, southwestern Ontario. Community economic development projects must be led by municipalities, Indigenous communities, economic development organizations or agencies, sector organizations or associations, or consortia, and show private sector support and measurable outcomes.

What expenses are eligible under Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business Project Grants?

Investments in equipment, new technologies, talent and training to enhance business productivity and competitiveness, leading to growth. Investment in new operations in southwestern Ontario. Investment in existing operations that lead to business expansion and the introduction of new products, services or markets. Community economic development projects that invest in infrastructure to advance regional economic development priorities. Community strategies focused on economic and business development and job creation.

Who can I contact for more information about the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business Project Grants?

You can contact Government of Ontario by email at swodf@ontario.ca or by phone at +14163148880.

Where is the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business Project Grants available?

The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business Project Grants program is available the province of Ontario.

Is the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business Project Grants a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business Project Grants is a Grant and Funding