Northern Ontario Recovery Program: Funding to Improve Business Operations
UPDATE: Due to overwhelming demand, the Northern Ontario Recovery Program has paused application intake as of Friday, November 20, 2020.
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) is an operational service agency that was established in 1988 to support the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Act. The NOHFC seeks to promote and strengthen the economic development of the Northern Ontario region by offering funding for projects that stabilize, diversify, and nurture economic growth.
Managed by the NOHFC, the Northern Ontario Recovery Program (NORP) aims to help businesses located in Northern Ontario in adapting to COVID-19 health regulations to ensure the ongoing safety of employees and customers.
Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $193 million into 1,386 projects throughout Northern Ontario, creating and/or sustaining 3,912 jobs.
Through the newly established NORP government funding program, eligible businesses can receive government funding of up to 100% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $25,000 for assistance with projects that help them meet guidelines triggered by impacts of COVID-19.
About the Northern Ontario Recovery Program (NORP)
The Northern Ontario Recovery Program (NORP) supports business projects that accelerate the adaptation of practices to meet public health guidelines for operations under re-opening stages, and to further support employee and consumer safety.
“There is no denying that COVID-19 has had a significant impact on businesses throughout Northern Ontario and this program will deliver targeted funding so they can continue to serve their communities.”
– Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and Minister of Indigenous Affairs
Amount:
- Up to 100% of eligible expenses to a maximum of $25,000.
- Eligible costs will be those incurred and paid after March 17, 2020.
Applicant Eligibility:
- Northern Ontario businesses with at least one year of operations as of March 17, 2020, and were impacted by the Province of Ontario Emergency Order that closed all non-essential businesses on March 24, 2020.
- Businesses must provide evidence to support a loss of revenue or an increase in expenses related to COVID-19.
- Applicants will be required to execute a legal agreement with NOHFC.
Eligible Expenses:
- Capital construction
- Leasehold improvements
- New or used equipment
- Restructuring of business operations
- Marketing for new business initiatives
- Personal Protective Equipment and customer/employee safety installations
Ineligible Expenses:
Ineligible costs include, but are not limited to:
- Renovations not associated with meeting public health guidelines
- Land
- Refinancing
- Business plans/strategic plans/feasibility studies etc.
- Assets acquired through operating leases
- Rolling stock
- Project management costs/consulting costs/administration costs
- Mineral exploration and mine development
- Cost of inventory
- Capital projects or leasehold improvements to residential or personal properties
- Fixed cost expenses
- Working capital
- Direct employee costs
Application Deadline:
UPDATE: Due to overwhelming demand, the Northern Ontario Recovery Program has paused application intake as of Friday, November 20, 2020.
Timelines:
- The application window will run from October 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020.
- Funding is limited and will be on a first-come basis.
How to Apply for NORP Government Funding
If your organization is interested in the Northern Ontario Recovery Program (NORP) and your project meets the above eligibility criteria, please contact the Mentor Works team so that we can set up a complimentary Funding Discovery Session for your business.
To further support you and your business during this time, we encourage you to stay updated with our COVID-19 Support Page for all government funding resources and incentives that are currently available to Canadians.
Updated: December 2, 2020