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 large investments that create jobs in southwestern Ontario.
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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
- Investing in equipment, new technologies, talent, and training to enhance business productivity and competitiveness.
- Launching new operations within Southwestern Ontario.
- Expanding existing operations to support business growth or the introduction of new products, services, or accessing new markets.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit businesses with at least 3 years of operations
- Businesses located in, or planning to locate in, a southwestern Ontario community
- Businesses seeking to expand through investments in equipment, technology, talent, or training
- Companies expanding existing operations, launching new operations, or entering new markets in eligible regions
- Organizations operating in sectors that contribute to long-term economic sustainability (excluding ineligible sectors such as retail, primary production, and construction)
Who is not eligible
- Companies engaged in retail operations.
- Businesses primarily involved in primary production activities.
- Organizations focused on construction, such as residential development.
- Enterprises providing personal services, consulting, or academic research.
- Stand-alone restaurants and hotels (unless transformative and considered a regional priority).
Eligible expenses
- Investments in equipment and new technologies.
- Talent acquisition and training costs.
- Expenses for enhancing business productivity and competitiveness.
- Expenditures related to expanding or establishing new operations in Southwestern Ontario.
- Costs for introducing new products, services, or accessing new markets.
Eligible geographic areas
- Brant
- Bruce
- Chatham-Kent
- Dufferin
- Elgin
- Essex
- Grey
- Haldimand
- Huron
- Lambton
- Middlesex
- Niagara
- Norfolk
- Oxford
- Perth
- Simcoe
- Waterloo
- Wellington
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.
Documents and links
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 large investments that create jobs in southwestern Ontario.
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:
At least 3 years of operations/financial statements
Minimum 10 full-time employees (or 5 if in rural Ontario)
Minimum eligible project investment of $500,000 (or $200,000 if rural)
What expenses are eligible under Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business project loans?
Investing in equipment, new technologies, talent, and training to enhance business productivity and competitiveness.
Launching new operations within Southwestern Ontario.
Expanding existing operations to support business growth or the introduction of new products, services, or accessing new markets.
Who can I contact for more information about the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) — Business project loans?
You can contact Government of Ontario (ON).
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