Rural Economic Development Fund (RED): OMAFRA

Receive up to $150K to $250K in Grant Funding.

The Rural Economic Development Fund (RED) supports regional economic development activities in rural southern Ontario communities. The program currently focuses on non-profits, organizations and associations, and municipal governments, and provides them with additional resources to carry out projects that boost regional economic opportunities. The RED Fund is offered through two streams: Economic Diversification and Competitiveness Stream (EDC Stream) and Strategic Economic Infrastructure Stream (SEI Stream).

Funding Amount

(1) EDC Stream up to 50% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $150,000; and
(2) SEI Stream up to 30% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $250,000.

Eligible Applicants

Non-profits, Indigenous communities / organizations, associations, municipalities in rural southern Ontario.

Eligible Activities

(1) EDC Stream focuses on removing barriers for business growth, strengthening partnerships, and diversifying regional economies; and
(2) SEI Stream focuses on the recovery of cultural and heritage tourist attractions, reviving under-used properties, and minor capital costs for improving main streets.

Eligible Activities

The program intake begins on January 21, 2024. The deadline to apply is February 21, 2024.

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Rural Economic Development Fund (RED): OMAFRA

Amount of Funding

Economic Diversification and Competitiveness Stream

Successful applicants may receive cost-share funding for non-capital eligible project costs up to 50% of a maximum of $150,000 per project.

Strategic Economic Infrastructure Stream

Successful applicants may receive cost-share funding for non-capital eligible project costs up to 30% of a maximum of $250,000 per project.

Amount of Funding from the Canadian Government

Rural Economic Development Fund (RED): OMAFRA

Amount Eligible Applicants

Eligibility criteria for both streams are as follows:

Ontario Municipalities;
Incorporated not-for-profit organizations in Ontario;
Ontario Indigenous organizations; and
Local services boards.

The following are ineligible for both streams:

For profit businesses;
Individuals;
Research institutions or organizations rooted in research and development; and
Not-incorporated not-for-profit organizations.

Eligible Applicants for Canadian Government Funding

Rural Economic Development Fund (RED): OMAFRA

Eligible Activities

Economic Diversification and Competitiveness Stream

Succession for entrepreneurship or businesses;
Business expansion purposes;
Revitalizing a downtown core;
Adopting new and useful technologies;
Marketing projects;
Attracting and retaining local workers and youth; and
Value Chain development.

Strategic Economic Infrastructure Stream

Reviving cultural and heritage attractions;
Reviving underused building; and
Updating community streets and landscaping.

Eligible Expenses for Canadian Government Funding

Rural Economic Development Fund (RED): OMAFRA

Program Deadline

The program intake begins on January 21, 2024. The deadline to apply is February 21, 2024.

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