Province Accepting Applications for New Rural Ontario Development Program

Press Release – Ministry of Rural Affairs

The Ontario government is now accepting applications for the new Rural Ontario Development (ROD) program to help support economic growth, protect jobs and improve infrastructure in small communities.

In January, the government announced $20 million over the next two years to help rural communities attract investment and create new jobs and opportunities for rural workers. In the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty, this expanded funding will support the government’s plan to protect rural Ontario communities by encouraging economic development and helping keep workers on the job.

“Our government has doubled its investment in the Rural Ontario Development program to drive economic growth and increase the workforce across rural Ontario,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs. “The expanded program will benefit rural communities and rural businesses by attracting investment, creating jobs and building rural Ontario.”

Eligible rural municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, Indigenous communities and small businesses can apply to four funding streams:

• Economic Diversification, Competitiveness and Capacity Building: Building economic development capacity and implementing strategies that increase competitiveness to retain businesses, attract investment and enhance growth.
• Workforce Development, Attraction and Retention: Investing in strategies and/or to undertake initiatives for attracting and retaining workers.
• Community Infrastructure Enhancements: Investing in community infrastructure and improving public spaces or existing community assets.
• Business Development: Investing in projects that support businesses to be financially sustainable and competitive, including cyber security initiatives, accessibility enhancements or expansion to new markets.

“ROMA thanks the Ontario government for enhancing the Rural Ontario Development program. Its new design directly responds to rural needs by doubling funding, setting a higher cost-sharing ratio, adding planning and strategy investments as eligible costs and maintaining sector training and application support,” noted Christa Lowry, Chair, Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) and Mayor of Mississippi Mills. “ROD will empower rural municipalities to attract and retain investment, driving provincial prosperity.”

"AMO applauds the province’s two-year, $20 million investment in the Rural Ontario Development program,” said Robin Jones, President, Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and Mayor of Westport. “This commitment demonstrates leadership in protecting and strengthening local economies, which is vital amidst current trade disruptions, tariffs and looming economic downturn."

The Rural Ontario Development program is a key component of Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy.

Quick facts

• Applications for the first intake of the Rural Ontario Development program are now open and will close on September 24, 2025 at 5 p.m.
• In January 2025, the government announced an increase of $20 million over two years for the Rural Ontario Development program, previously known as the Rural Economic Development program.
• Since 2019, the government has invested $27.5 million towards supporting 473 projects through the Rural Economic Development Program.

Additional resources

Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy

Rural Ontario Development Program Guidelines and Application

Ministry of Rural Affairs at Ontario.ca