The Ontario government has opened a second intake of the Rural Ontario Development Program, with applications open until February 26, 2026. Funding is available for eligible municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, and small businesses (1–20 employees) that are located in areas the province identifies as rural.

What this means for Ward 20 residents:

The province’s eligibility map does not cover every part of the ward. Some communities may be left out based on the criteria the province uses (such as postal code boundaries or population density).  To confirm whether your location qualifies, visit Rural Ontario Development Program | ontario.ca and use the interactive map.

The province is also offering free webinars and one-on-one coaching to support applicants and strengthen submissions. If you’re thinking of applying, we recommend taking advantage of these resources before the February 26 deadline.