Closed
Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business project loans
Loans to grow or expand in southwestern Ontario
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Funding available
$ 500,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Loans of up to $5 million for business investment projects in southwestern Ontario. The program supports growth, productivity, innovation, new markets, and job creation through eligible projects and related activities.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop workforce skills
- Access new markets
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Minimum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 15% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 10 employees minimum
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Investment in equipment, new technologies, talent, and training
- Expansion of existing operations in Southwestern Ontario
- Launch of new operations in Southwestern Ontario
- Introduction of new products, services, or markets
Documents Needed
- Cash flow forecast
- Articles of incorporation or letters patent
- Corporate family tree
- Three years of financial statements
- Letters of support, if available
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit businesses
- Municipalities, Indigenous communities, economic development agencies, sector associations, and consortia may be eligible under the community stream
- Businesses planning investments in Southwestern Ontario
- Businesses investing in growth, productivity, innovation, or new markets
Who is not eligible
- Retail businesses
- Primary production businesses
- Construction-related projects, such as residential development
- Personal services, consulting, and academic research businesses
- Stand-alone restaurants and hotels, unless considered transformative and a regional priority
Eligible expenses
- Equipment and machinery
- Facility construction, modifications, or upgrades
- Site servicing and power service upgrades
- One-time labour, materials, and specialized expertise
- Skills training, permits, and project-related fees
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Ongoing operations, maintenance, and capital replacement
- Refinancing, acquisitions, buyouts, restructurings, and relocations within Ontario
- Purchase of land or buildings
- Vehicles or off-site equipment
Eligible geographic areas
- Brant
- Bruce
- Chatham-Kent
- Dufferin
- Elgin
- Essex
- Grey
- Haldimand
- Huron
- Lambton
- Middlesex
- Niagara
- Norfolk
- Oxford
- Perth
- Simcoe
- Waterloo
- Wellington
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed after the intake deadline and only complete applications are assessed.
- Applicants are notified of decisions within approximately 60 business days of the application deadline.
- If approved, the applicant must enter into a funding agreement with the Province of Ontario.
- No payments are made until the agreement is signed and any conditions for disbursement are met.
Additional information
- There are four application intake periods each year, with notification typically given within 60 business days of the application deadline.
- The project start date must be after the application period close date, and projects must span between 3 and 4 years.
- Applicants must demonstrate compliance with all relevant laws and not owe fees or taxes to the Province of Ontario.
- For loan applications, financial materials must show a positive debt service coverage ratio in the previous three years and forecasted over the loan term.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business project loans Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business project loans. 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 Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business project loans?
Loans of up to $5 million for business investment projects in southwestern Ontario. The program supports growth, productivity, innovation, new markets, and job creation through eligible projects and related activities.
How much funding can be received?
Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business project loans Funds up to 15% of admissible expenses, capped at $500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business project loans program?
To be eligible for the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business project loans program, you must:
For-profit business in Ontario
At least 3 years of operations
Minimum 10 FTEs, or 5 in rural areas
What expenses are eligible under Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business project loans?
Investment in equipment, new technologies, talent, and training
Expansion of existing operations in Southwestern Ontario
Launch of new operations in Southwestern Ontario
Introduction of new products, services, or markets
Where is the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business project loans available?
The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business project loans program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business project loans a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business project loans is a Loans and Capital investments
Who are the financial supporters of the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business project loans?
Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business project loans is funded by Government of Ontario