Information

Applications for the Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program are currently closed.

Overview

The Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program replaces the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program. This program supports the objectives of Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy.

The ROD Program provides cost-share funding for projects that help rural communities:

  • address barriers and build capacity for economic development
  • to attract, retain and expand businesses
  • attract and retain investment and jobs
  • strengthen regional partnerships and economic resilience
  • address workforce development challenges
  • transform community assets to drive economic development

Who is eligible

To qualify for the ROD Program, you must meet both of the following requirements:

  1. Your organization must be one of the following:
    • a municipality
    • a not-for-profit organization
    • an Indigenous community or organization
    • a local services board
    • a small business with 1 to 20 employees
  2. Your project must be within an eligible rural area of Ontario
  3. Your project must be within an eligible rural area of Ontario
Rural and Urban Areas map

Program streams

Rural communities

Municipalities, Indigenous communities, local services boards and not-for-profit organizations in rural Ontario can apply through the following streams:

  • Economic diversification, competitiveness and capacity building: projects that support communities to build economic development capacity and implement strategies that increase competitiveness to retain businesses, attract investment and enhance growth.
    • Strategies and plans: projects will develop strategies or plans that will enhance the ability of communities to be prepared for and engage in economic development activities. This stream offers up to 50% cost-share, up to $50,000.
    • Economic diversification and competitiveness: projects will support the implementation of an existing economic development plan or strategy. This stream offers up to 50% cost-share, up to $150,000.
    • Capacity building events: projects that support organizations in building community capacity to deliver economic development activities. This stream offers up to 35% cost-share, up to $10,000.
  • Workforce development, attraction and retention: This stream funds projects that support communities to implement strategies and/or to undertake initiatives for attracting and retaining workers. This stream offers up to 50% cost-share, up to $150,000.
  • Community infrastructure enhancements: This stream funds projects that update or transform community assets that have been identified as important to the community’s economy. This stream offers up to 35% cost-share, with large projects eligible from $25,000 to $250,000 and for small projects eligible up to $25,000.

Rural businesses

Small brick and mortar businesses in rural Ontario with 1 to 20 employees can apply through the Business Development Stream. This stream offers up to 35% cost-share, to a maximum of $10,000.

Previously funded projects

Learn more about successful projects funded through our previous Rural Economic Development (RED) Program:

Steps to apply

  1. Read the ROD Program guidelines for community development or business development to learn about:

    • eligibility
    • funding streams
    • cost-share amounts
    • application requirements

  2. Download the application.

    Applications for the first and second application periods are now closed.

  3. Submit your completed application by email to RODprogram@ontario.ca on or before the intake deadline.

After you apply

After the application period closes, we will:

  • assess eligible applications based on the criteria in the guidelines
  • notify applicants about funding decisions, usually within 3 months of the application deadline (timing may vary)

Get help with your application

Attend an information webinar

Register for a free information webinar to learn more about the ROD Program and application process.

Upcoming information webinars

Community Development Stream

  • Wednesday, August 20, 2026 (11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
  • Tuesday, September 1, 2026 (11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

Business Development Stream

  • Wednesday, August 20, 2026 (9:30 – 10:30 a.m.)
  • Tuesday, September 1, 2026 (9:30 – 10:30 a.m.)

Contact us

If you need more help:

Application periods

These are the application periods for the ROD Program. Each application period has its own application window and deadline. These dates are subject to change.

First application period

Application period closed on September 24, 2025

Second application period

Application period closed on February 26, 2026

Third application period

  • Application window: August 17, 2026 – October 1, 2026
  • Application deadline: October 1, 2026, at 5 p.m. E.T.

Fourth application period

  • Application window: January 18, 2027 – February 25, 2027
  • Application deadline: February 25, 2027, at 5 p.m. E.T.

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