Rural Economic Development Fund (RED): OMAFRA

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

The Rural Economic Development Fund (RED), by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), 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.

Funding Amount

Up to 50-70% of eligible expenses to a maximum of $150,000-$250,000.

Eligible Applicants

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

Eligible Activities

Planning and implementation of sector development/diversification projects. Focused on innovation and collaboration to improve the supply chain in rural Ontario (municipalities with <100k population).

Deadline to Apply

A new intake for the RED Program has been announced to open starting February 7, 2022. There is currently no deadline, though applications should be submitted before funding is fully committed.

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Rural Economic Development Fund (RED): OMAFRA

Amount of Funding

There are two streams for the Rural Economic Development Fund with varying contribution amounts:

Economic Diversification and Competitiveness Stream: successful applicants may receive up to 50% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $150K.
Strategic Economic Infrastructure Stream: successful applicants may receive up to 30% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $250K.

Please note that for both streams funding provided may reflect either the amount or percentage asked for. Also, neither the maximum eligible costs or the project timeframe may be extended/increased without approval from the OMAFRA organization.

Amount of Funding from the Canadian Government

Rural Economic Development Fund (RED): OMAFRA

Eligible Applicants

To be eligible for the Rural Economic Development Fund, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

Applicant is a municipality;
Applicant is a not-for-profit entity;
Applicant is an Ontario Indigenous community; or
The applicant is a Local Services Board.

Eligible Applicants for Canadian Government Funding

Rural Economic Development Fund (RED): OMAFRA

Eligible Activities

Both streams of the RED Program require different eligibility criteria for activities.

Economic Diversification and Competitiveness Stream:

Projects designed to remove barriers to businesses;
Stimulate job growth;
Attract investments;
Attract or retain skilled workers;
Strengthen sector and regional partnerships; and
Projects to diversify regional economies in rural Ontario.

Strategic Economic Infrastructure Stream:

Activities associated with reviving cultural, heritage or tourism attractions;
Projects designed to redevelop vacant or under-used properties; and
Improve main street minor capital initiatives.

Eligible Expenses for Canadian Government Funding

Rural Economic Development Fund (RED): OMAFRA

Program Deadline

A new intake for the RED Program has been announced to open starting February 7, 2022. There is currently no deadline, though applications should be submitted before funding is fully committed.