Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce and Minister of Rural Affairs, is pleased to announce that a new round of applications is now open for the Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program. Applications will be accepted from August 17 to October 1, 2026.
About the Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program
The Rural Ontario Development Program replaces the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program. This program supports the objectives of Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy. To qualify for the ROD Program, your organization must be a municipality, a not-for-profit organization, an Indigenous community or organization, a local services board, or a small business with 1 to 20 employees. 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
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.
Upcoming Webinars: The Ministry of Rural Affairs will be hosting a series of informational webinars on both programs. Ministry staff will walk through program eligibility, the application process, and answer questions.
Community Development Stream
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 (11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
Register Here
Business Development Stream
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 (11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
Register Here
Book a coaching session: Applicants can book a free, one-on-one coaching session with a regional advisor.
