Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy
Read our plan to help:
- build safe, strong and vibrant rural communities
- develop and grow local business
- attract and retain rural workers
Funding opportunities
Rural Ontario Development Program
Get funding to help boost development in your rural community, create strong businesses and build a skilled workforce.
Applications are currently closed. Learn about upcoming application dates.
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)
Explore funding opportunities for community, business and non-profit projects.
Funding for Indigenous economic development
Find business, employment and training opportunities for Indigenous Ontarians.
Ontario Trillium Foundation
Learn how Ontario invests in the non-profit sector.
Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund
How municipalities can get funding for water infrastructure projects to protect communities and build more housing.
Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program
Learn about funding for communities to build more housing and community-enabling infrastructure.
Other Ontario funding opportunities
Find out about other funding opportunities, including the Regional Development Programs, the Ontario Transit Investment Fund and more from the Government of Ontario.
Upcoming events
Teeny Tiny Economic Development Summits
Share practical examples, lessons learned and community economic development tactics that are scale appropriate for Ontario’s smallest communities.
Events calendar
In partnership with local municipalities and organizations, the Ministry of Rural Affairs coordinates or funds several events to promote economic and community growth.
Agriculture Economic Development and Planning Community of Practice
Learn about quarterly meetings on relevant municipal policies, procedures and programming impacting the agricultural sector.
Community development
Community Economic Development 101
Learn about our workshop on economic development for rural communities and find out how to request a session.
Strategic Planning Resource Manual
Learn about how to effectively develop a strategic plan within your business or organization.
First Impressions Community Exchange program
Learn about the First Impressions Community Exchange program and discover how well your community serves visitors.
Business Retention and Expansion program
Learn how to strengthen businesses in your community.
Agriculture Economic Development Program
Support local agriculture to promote economic growth in your community.
Analyst: economic analysis software
Access industry and job trends for your region.
Downtown Revitalization
Make your rural community’s downtown area vibrant and appealing.
Rural data hub
Find data and analysis for rural Ontario with key historical facts.
Performance measurement for agriculture and economic development
Assess the efficiency and effectiveness of projects, programs and initiatives for economic development.
Community Immigrant Retention in Rural Ontario program
Help newcomers and youth settle in your community and keep it economically vibrant.
Rural business supports
Rural Ontario Development Program Guidelines - Business Stream
Learn how to get money to fund projects that improve rural businesses.
Open for Business
Find the resources you need to do business, work and invest in Ontario.
Jobs and employment
Resources and supports to help connect job seekers with employers.
Succession Planning Hub
Get knowledge, resources and support network to sell, transfer, or wind down your business.
Small business
Get support, information and advice to run your small business.
Connect with us
Rural Economic Development Digest
Get bi-monthly updates on the latest rural programs and success stories from the Ministry of Rural Affairs.
Connect with economic and business advisors
Find your local rural economic development advisor.