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Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Community economic development projects
Grants for economic development in southwestern Ontario
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 1,500,000
Timeline
- Open Date : June 30, 2026
- Closing date : September 23, 2026
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Grants of up to $1.5 million for projects that focus on job creation and economic and business development 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
- Launch or market a product/service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : June 30, 2026
- Closing date : September 23, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Business Associations
Target groups
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Community leaders
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
- Regional
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Business expansion projects in southwestern Ontario.
- Community economic development projects that support regional economic growth and job creation.
- Projects involving infrastructure investment, innovation, skills development or new market growth.
Documents Needed
- Application form
- Cash flow forecast
- Articles of incorporation or letters patent
- Corporate family tree
- Financial statements for the last three fiscal years
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Existing businesses
- Municipalities
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Economic development organizations
Who is not eligible
- Companies in primary production, retail, construction, consulting, and personal services.
- Businesses focused on electricity generation, waste management, recycling, or academic research.
- Stand-alone restaurants and hotels, unless transformative and a regional priority.
- Projects involving ongoing operations, refinancing, acquisitions, buyouts, or relocations within Ontario.
Eligible expenses
- Equipment, new technologies, training and labour directly related to the project.
- Construction, site servicing and building modifications for eligible projects.
- Business attraction and presentation materials.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Ongoing operations, maintenance and capital replacement.
- Refinancing, acquisitions, buyouts and restructurings.
- Primary production, retail, consulting and personal services.
- Electricity generation, waste management, recycling and academic research.
- Stand-alone restaurants and hotels, unless transformative and a regional priority.
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 submissions are assessed.
- Applicants are notified of a decision within about 60 business days.
- Approved applicants must sign a funding agreement before any payment is made.
- Funding payments are made in arrears, with possible annual instalments and a final performance payment for grants.
Additional information
- Applicants must consult a regional advisor before applying.
- Applications are submitted through Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON).
- The program is competitive and only the strongest applications are funded.
Documents and links
Frequently Asked Questions about the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Community economic development projects Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Community economic development projects. 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 — Community economic development projects?
Grants of up to $1.5 million for projects that focus on job creation and economic and business development in southwestern Ontario.
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.
What is the deadline to apply?
Applications will open on June 30, 2026.
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:
For-profit business in Ontario
3 years of operating history
Minimum job creation commitment
What expenses are eligible under Southwestern Ontario Development Fund — Community economic development projects?
Business expansion projects in southwestern Ontario.
Community economic development projects that support regional economic growth and job creation.
Projects involving infrastructure investment, innovation, skills development or new market growth.
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