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Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Community economic development projects - Ontario - Canada
Open
Source verified August 6, 2026

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Community economic development projects

Support for business and community economic development
Offered by
Government of Ontario
Official source: ontario.ca
Latest source update
Last Update: August 1, 2026
Latest change: The program page now shows additional future application periods, and the eligibility guidance adds clearer examples for excluded primary production and training costs.
View change
Southwestern Ontario Development Fund deadlines updated
The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund page now shows four additional future application periods, including submission, deadline, and notification dates for Application Periods 24 to 27 from November 3, 2026 to January 21, 2027; February 18, 2027 to May 20, 2027; June 30, 2027 to September 21, 2027; and October 20, 2027 to January 11, 2028. The guidance also clarifies the primary production exclusion with examples for mining, agriculture, and forestry, and the community project cost appendix adds a new ineligible item for training costs supported by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
Funding available
$ 1,500,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply

Existing businesses

See full eligibility

Overview

The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund supports existing businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations undertaking economic development projects in southwestern Ontario, with business support up to 15% of eligible costs and community grants up to 50%. Eligible support includes investments in equipment, facilities and training that grow businesses, improve productivity and create jobs.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Develop workforce skills
  • Access new markets
  • Launch or market a product/service
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
  • Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Ontario
Legal structures
  • Non-profit
  • Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
  • Economic, Social and Community Development
  • Business Associations
Target groups
  • All the groups
Revenue structures
  • All structures
Scope
  • All dimensions

Next Steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Investments in equipment, new technologies, labour and training to improve business productivity and competitiveness
  • Investments in new operations in southwestern Ontario
  • Investments in existing operations that expand the business and introduce new products, services or markets
  • Municipal infrastructure projects that secure private sector investment
  • Consortium or regional economic development projects that implement strategies or priorities affecting the region

Documents Needed

  • A cash flow forecast with sufficient detail on receipts and payments during the project period and, for business applications, the loan repayment period of four years post-project completion date.
  • Copy of articles of incorporation and/or letters patent.
  • A corporate family tree showing the parent, affiliates and related entities of the applicant and their relationships with one another.
  • Financial statements from the last three fiscal years, with audited or review engagement statements preferred; grant applicants with revenues under $5 million may submit compilation engagement financial statements.
  • Letters of support from project partners and financial institutions, including financial commitments, if provided.

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)

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Existing businesses
  • Municipalities and Indigenous communities in southwestern Ontario
  • Incorporated non-governmental organizations with an economic development mandate
  • Industry or sector associations
  • Consortiums of businesses led by at least one not-for-profit organization

Who is not eligible

  • Applicants in primary production sectors such as mining, agriculture and forestry are not eligible.
  • Applicants in retail, construction, personal services, consulting, electricity generation, waste management or recycling, information and communication services, and academic research are not eligible.
  • Stand-alone restaurants and hotels are not eligible unless transformative and considered a regional priority.
  • Start ups or incubators are not eligible.

Eligible expenses

  • Municipal economic infrastructure that addresses a community priority, and business attraction costs such as presentations to investment prospects and related presentation, consultation and marketing materials.
  • Construction, project facility modifications or upgrades, site servicing, and power service upgrades required to execute the project.
  • Equipment and machinery required for the project.
  • One-time labour, incremental specialized labour, and direct materials directly related to the project, including materials for testing, training employees and prototypes.
  • Specialized expertise, skills training and related training materials or infrastructure, recruitment costs within program limits, and permits, inspections or other fees directly attributable to the project.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Ongoing operations, including maintenance and capital replacement, and ongoing costs of production or operations.
  • Refinancing of existing business operations, acquisitions and buyouts, mergers and acquisitions, and restructuring or relocating to other jurisdictions within Ontario.
  • Purchase of land or buildings, landscaping, staff parking lots, replacement capital equipment, and vehicles or off-site equipment.
  • Travel, hospitality, meals and incidental expenses, preparation of funding proposals, shareholder payments, overhead costs, lease costs, and working capital for regular production or operations.
  • Materials used for the regular production of saleable items, ongoing operational and production labour costs, wages paid during training, training costs supported by Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, fees attributable to ongoing operations, costs incurred outside Ontario except eligible supplier purchases, and rebates, credits or refunds.

Eligible geographic areas

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

Selection criteria

  • Alignment with the fund’s goals of investment attraction and job creation in the regions
  • Economic benefits, such as creating jobs, contributing to the region or developing the sector
  • Achievability, including the necessary financing, project management structure and experience to implement the project
  • Alignment with fund objectives and relation to other projects under consideration, with a focus on regional economic development benefits
  • The extent to which government support improves project outcomes or affects project scope or timelines

How to apply

  • Complete the online self assessment tool for the Business Stream or Community Stream.
  • Contact a regional advisor to discuss your project and get help with your application.
  • Register for Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON).
  • Work with your regional advisor to complete the application form.
  • Submit the application on TPON, along with the required supplemental information, during the application intake period.

Processing and Agreement

  • Applicants will be notified of funding decisions within approximately 60 business days of the application deadline.
  • If approved, applicants will be required to enter into a funding agreement with the Government of Ontario on terms and conditions satisfactory to Ontario.
  • No payments will be made until the funding agreement has been signed and disbursement conditions have been fulfilled, including sources of project financing and proof of insurance of at least $2 million.
  • Disbursements will be made in arrears and paid in annual instalments subject to annual caps; at Ontario’s sole discretion, an initial payment of up to 20% may be made once conditions of disbursement have been met.
  • Recipients must meet annual reporting requirements, and agreements include repayment provisions if performance measures or other terms and conditions are not met.

Additional information

  • A project must be a distinct undertaking, separate from ongoing operations, that results in benefits such as business growth or access to new markets.
  • Complementary Services and Supports are available when you submit a complete application to the Eastern Ontario Development Fund or Southwestern Ontario Development Fund through the Regional Development Program.
  • These services are available for the duration of your project regardless of the funding outcome.
  • Services will be coordinated by working with partner ministries until they are delivered, closed-out or finalized.

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 — Community economic development projects Program

What is the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Community economic development projects?

The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund supports existing businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations undertaking economic development projects in southwestern Ontario, with business support up to 15% of eligible costs and community grants up to 50%. Eligible support includes investments in equipment, facilities and training that grow businesses, improve productivity and create jobs.

How much funding can be received?

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Community economic development projects Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,500,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Community economic development projects program?

To be eligible for the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Community economic development projects program, you must: Business applicants must have at least 3 years of operations/financial statements, employ at least 10 people or 5 in rural Ontario, and invest at least $500,000 in their project or $200,000 in rural Ontario. Business applicants must commit to creating at least 5 new jobs, or a 30% workforce increase for companies with fewer than 15 employees, and be located in or plan to locate in southwestern Ontario. Community economic development projects must be led by municipalities, economic development organizations or sector organizations, invest more than $100,000, have private sector support, and involve activities that are new to the organization.

What expenses are eligible under Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Community economic development projects?

Investments in equipment, new technologies, labour and training to improve business productivity and competitiveness Investments in new operations in southwestern Ontario Investments in existing operations that expand the business and introduce new products, services or markets Municipal infrastructure projects that secure private sector investment Consortium or regional economic development projects that implement strategies or priorities affecting the region

Who can I contact for more information about the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Community economic development projects?

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

Where is the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Community economic development projects available?

The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Community economic development projects program is available the province of Ontario.

Is the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Community economic development projects a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Community economic development projects is a Grant and Funding