New Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program – Funding Opportunities for Rural Communities and Businesses

The Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program has replaced the previous RED Program to support Ontario’s rural economic growth under Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy.

The program offers cost-share funding to help rural communities and small businesses:

• Overcome economic development barriers and build capacity
• Attract, retain, and expand businesses
• Encourage investment and job creation
• Strengthen regional partnerships and resilience
• Address workforce development challenges
• Transform community assets to drive economic growth

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include: municipalities, not-for-profits, Indigenous communities or organizations, local services boards, and small businesses with 1–20 employees. Projects must be located in eligible rural areas.

Program Streams

For Rural Communities:

• Economic Diversification & Competitiveness: Implement or develop strategies to retain businesses and attract investment (50% cost-share, up to $150,000).
• Capacity Building Events: Support events to strengthen community economic development skills (35% cost-share, up to $10,000).
• Workforce Development: Initiatives to attract and retain workers (50% cost-share, up to $150,000).
• Community Infrastructure Enhancements: Update or transform key community assets (35% cost-share, $25,000–$250,000).

For Rural Businesses:

• Business Development: Small businesses can access funding for growth projects (35% cost-share, up to $10,000).

This program is a great opportunity for rural organizations and businesses to access funding, strengthen local economies, and support growth.

Canada and Ontario Investing $20 Million to Support Local Farmers and Agribusinesses

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $20 million through the new Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative to help farmers, food processors, and agribusinesses sell more Ontario-grown products both domestically and internationally. This initiative is particularly relevant for Niagara greenhouse, indoor agriculture, specialty crop, and value-added food businesses.

Part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership and the province’s Grow Ontario Strategy, this funding helps farmers and businesses build long-term resiliency, expand markets, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing economic environment.

Applications open February 17 – March 17, 2026 and the initiative includes three funding streams:

• Market Development & Diversification – Implementation Planning: Support for market research, feasibility studies, and go-to-market strategies.
• Implement Market Development & Diversification: Funding for trade shows, international marketing, and packaging or labelling for new markets.
• Implementation of Equipment & Technology: Investments in production equipment or technology that enable access to new markets.

Funding will cover a portion of approved project costs, with levels and maximums varying depending on the proposal. The initiative provides additional support for export projects targeting non-U.S. markets as well as projects targeting the U.S.

Quick Facts:

• Delivered by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
• Applications accepted until 11:59 p.m. EST, March 17, 2026
• Supports the growth and resiliency of Ontario’s $52 billion agri-food sector

This initiative is a valuable opportunity for Niagara agri-food businesses to diversify markets, strengthen production capacity, and grow globally.

2026/27 Partnership ( Tourism) program

The 2026/27 Partnership Program intake is now open for projects between April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.

 

New for 2026/2027 Partnership Program:

• Organizations will be limited to submitting a maximum of 2 applications per intake period.
• Meetings with TPN staff must occur prior to applying. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their initiative (project outline, deliverables, timelines, budget, etc) and TPN’s anticipated involvement
• TPN’s Partnership (evaluation) committee will receive a copy of the corresponding budgets submitted with applications.
• Applicants are limited to selecting ONE pillar per funding application.
• Funding eligibility is limited to three years per initiative, except in cases where significant changes are demonstrated.
• TPN’s Partnership budgets, available by pillar, will be published during each program intake.
• Applications will be provided upon completion of the applicants initial meeting with TPN.

Meeting request deadline: Wednesday, January 14th (last day to request a meeting)

Application deadline: Wednesday, January 28th at 4pm

For any questions or to schedule your initial meeting please email Erin Monaghan. 

Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund – Funding Support for Women-Led Businesses

The Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund, led by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, is designed to help more women entrepreneurs access the financing they need to start, grow, and scale their businesses.

Through this program, the Government of Canada has partnered with several national delivery organizations that are now accepting loan applications from women entrepreneurs across the country.

What’s available?

The fund offers microloans of up to $50,000, with a focus on supporting:

• Start-ups and early-stage businesses
• Sole proprietors
• Women from underrepresented groups
• Businesses that may face barriers accessing traditional financing

This initiative builds on the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) and reflects the federal government’s ongoing commitment to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.

Apply through one of the following delivery organizations:

• Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC)
• National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA)
• Nventure
• Coralus (formerly SheEO)
• Evol

Interested applicants are encouraged to visit each organization’s website to confirm eligibility and learn how to apply.