Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program Applications Begin Soon

Attention not for profit groups
The second intake of the Rural Ontario Development (ROD) grant is approaching.

What is eligible?
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 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.

The province is hosting free information webinars:

Upcoming sessions:
Community development – municipalities, Indigenous communities, not-for-profit or local services
- January 22, 2026
• 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (English)
• 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (French)
- February 12, 2026
• 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (English)
• 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (French)

Learn more about the ROD Program by attending a free information webinar. Find more information on our registration page by CLICKING HERE

The intake dates for this program are:
• Application intake period: January 19, 2026 – February 26, 2026
• Application Deadline: February 26, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET.

Want more information? 
CLICK HERE or contact EDO@ElliotLake.ca