Rural Economic Development program — Economic Diversification and Competitiveness Stream

📋 Eligible Entities - Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in rural Ontario - Non-profit organizations and community economic development organizations - Indigenous businesses and organizations - Regional economic development agencies and municipalities - Industry associations and sector-specific organizations - Tourism and agribusiness enterprises in designated rural areas - Social enterprises supporting rural economic growth Geographic Requirement: Operations must be located in or serve rural Ontario communities (outside major metropolitan areas) --- ### 💰 Funding Details - Grant Amount: Up to $150,000 per project - Cost Coverage: Maximum 50% of eligible project costs (requires applicant contribution of minimum 50%) - Repayability: Non-repayable grant (no repayment required) - Matching Funds: Minimum 50% cost-sharing required from applicant (can include cash, in-kind contributions, or partner funding) - Funding Type: Direct grant assistance with no interest or loan components --- ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses - Business development and feasibility studies - Market research and sector analysis - Infrastructure improvements supporting business competitiveness - Technology adoption and digital transformation initiatives - Skills training and workforce development programs - Marketing and investment attraction campaigns - Regional partnership development and collaboration initiatives - Supply chain development and value-chain integration - Product development and commercialization support - Sector diversification planning and implementation --- ### ⚠️ Conditions & Milestones - Project Alignment: Must demonstrate clear connection to removing barriers to business growth and economic diversification in rural Ontario - Job Creation/Retention: Projects should contribute to measurable job creation or retention outcomes - Partnership Requirements: Strong preference for projects involving multi-stakeholder collaboration and sector partnerships - Reporting Obligations: Recipients must track and report on project outcomes, expenditures, and economic impact metrics - Accountability: Funds must be expended according to approved budget and project timeline - Eligible Proponents Only: Organizations must be legally registered and in good standing - Conflict of Interest: Applicants must declare any conflicts and comply with ethical guidelines - Timeline Compliance: Projects must be completed within specified funding period with regular milestone