Business Stream
The Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) is one of the most popular Ontario government funding programs available to support large-scale business investments. Through the program, companies can receive grants and loans to minimize the impact of expansion on company cash flows. By providing additional capital to support projects, manufacturers, and other targeted applicants can grow faster and respond to opportunities more effectively.
The Business Stream offers two types of funding support:
- Performance-Based Loans: Up to 15% of project costs (maximum $5M); up to 30% may be forgiven based on performance.
- Conditional Grants: Up to 15% of project costs, capped at $500K for small/rural businesses, or up to $1.5M for strategic/foreign investment projects.
Community Economic Development Stream
The Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) provides support for economic development organizations, municipalities, and consortia that are investing in infrastructure or implementing strategies to advance regional priorities in eastern Ontario.
The Community Economic Development Stream supports community economic development projects that lead to business growth, generate broad positive economic impacts, and encourage innovation, collaboration, and cluster development.
This stream covers up to 50% of project costs, up to a maximum of $1.5 million in grants.
Eligible Regions
To qualify for the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF), applicants must operate in one of the following regions:
- Frontenac
- Haliburton
- Hastings
- Kawartha Lakes
- Lanark
- Leeds and Grenville
- Lennox and Addington
- Muskoka
- Northumberland
- Ottawa
- Peterborough
- Prescott and Russell
- Prince Edward
- Renfrew
- Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
Business Stream
- Business must be in operation for at least 3 years.
- Must plan to create 5+ new jobs (or increase workforce by 30% if under 15 employees).
- At least 10 FTEs (or 5 if in a rural area).
- Operate in or relocate to an eligible Eastern Ontario community.
- Project budget must exceed $500K ($200K for rural areas).
Community Economic Development Stream
Projects must be led by municipalities, EDOs, or sector orgs.Investment must exceed $100K.Requires private sector support.
Business Stream
Eligible Projects:
- Must start at least 60 days after submission.
- Typically span 3 to 4 years.
- Common project types include:
- Launching new operations in Eastern Ontario.
- Enhancing productivity, innovation, exports, and competitiveness.
- Creating high-value, sustainable jobs in Ontario.
Eligible Expenses (one-time costs only):
- Facility and infrastructure upgrades.
- Third-party engineering or technical services.
- Configuration and testing materials.
- Equipment and machinery (e.g., CNC machines, robotics).
- Labour costs for equipment setup or R&D (up to 2 years).
- Training and workforce development expenses (trainer time and infrastructure).
- Building permits and related fees.
Community Economic Development Stream
Eligible Projects:
- Must require over $100,000 in investment.
- Can run for up to 4 years.
- Must include support from the private sector.
- Should generate private sector investment, growth, and jobs.
- Must be led by municipalities, sector organizations, or economic development agencies.
- Must be for new and incremental activities.
- Must support local/regional economic growth via infrastructure or strategic initiatives.
Eligible Expenses (one-time costs only):
- Specialized consulting or technical expertise.
- Business attraction marketing or initiatives.
- Project-related permits, fees, and charges.
- Equipment and machinery necessary for delivery.
- Public infrastructure related to community priorities.
- Skills development and workforce training.
- Facility upgrades or modifications specific to the project.
- Internal project-specific labour.
- Project-specific materials.
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