FAQs

GENERAL

Q1. What is the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF)?

A1. The EODF is an initiative to attract investment and support job creation in eastern Ontario. The Fund supports a key component of the government’s five-point economic plan to form key partnerships to strengthen Ontario. The Fund will provide financial assistance to promote the retention, expansion and attraction of investment/business in Eastern Ontario. This will be achieved through support for capital spending, skills development,  infrastructure needs and other similar economic development initiatives. 

Q2. What will this program do for Eastern Ontario?

A2. Eastern Ontario communities will benefit from the job creation that results from initiatives to support key sectors such as manufacturing, further processing in the agriculture and forestry sectors, and from Ontario’s commitment to develop the bio-economy.

Q3. Is the EODF a grant or a loan program?

A3. It’s a grant program. Eligible businesses (through the EODF-Business Stream) can receive up to 15 per cent of total project costs. Eligible not-for-profit organizations (through the EODF-Regional/Sectoral Stream)  can receive up to 50 per cent of total project costs.

Q4. Do the bonusing rules apply?

A4. Yes. Municipalities must abide by the bonusing provisions of the Municipal Act when developing project proposals.

Q5.  How can we find out more information?

A5.  Please refer to our website www.ontario.ca/easternfund or contact your local economic development officer or regional staff with a number of ministries. A list is available on the website.

Q6. Are regional staff available to help municipalities and businesses develop their applications?

A6.  We encourage applicants to contact regional staff and/or local economic development officers in their communities for more information.  A list of regional economic development staff and their contact information is available on our website.

FUNDING

Q7. If I have a great idea to grow my business, can I apply to the EODF?

A7. Yes, providing that your project idea meets the EODF eligibility criteria. (Please see the Quick Eligibility Checklist for the Business Stream).

Q8. Is there a limit to the amount of funding?

A8. Yes. The maximum grant available for both the Business Stream and Regional/Sectoral Stream is $1.5 million. A business will receive funding for a maximum of one project per year.

Q9. Do most applicants receive funding?

A9. The EODF is a non-entitlement program. Each application is assessed on its individual merit.

Q10. Can my project receive funding through other government programs at the same time?

A10.  Business Stream:
Yes. Up to 35 per cent of the total project costs can come from other public sector funding sources. Up to 15 per cent will come from the EODF - Business Stream funding, and the remaining 50 per cent is expected to come from your own business resources or through private financing.
Note: each program has its own rules with respect to multiple funding sources. Please review each program’s rules directly.

Regional/Sectoral Stream:
Yes. In addition to the 50% provided by EODF, another 16 per cent of total project costs can come from any combination of other public funding sources (examples: federal, provincial or municipal programs, or other public institutions). Applicants are expected to provide 34% of eligible project costs.
NOTE: each program has its own rules with respect to multiple funding sources. Please review each program’s rules directly.

ELIGIBILITY

Q11. I’m not sure if I’m eligible. How can I find out quickly?

A11.  You can refer to the Quick Eligibility Checklist for your corresponding funding stream.

Q12. Is my not-for-profit organization eligible for EODF funding?

A12. Yes. Under the EODF - Regional/Sectoral funding stream, your not-for-profit organization may be eligible for funding provided that all eligibility criteria are met.

Q13.  What is considered Eastern Ontario?

A13. The Eastern Ontario Development Fund covers the 13 counties stretching from Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland County in the west, to the Ontario-Quebec border in the east. Projects in the rural area of the City of Ottawa are eligible for funding.

Q14.  What parts of the City of Ottawa are eligible/ineligible?

A14.  Areas designated by the City of Ottawa as urban are ineligible; areas designated by Ottawa as rural are eligible. For a specific map of Ottawa’s urban and rural boundaries, please consult the City of Ottawa’s Official Plan, 2006, Section 3, “Designation and Land Use”

Q15.  What is meant by “project size,” “project value,” and “value of the investment”? 

A15. The project size refers to the total eligible costs of the proposed project. Ineligible costs are not included in the project size.

The Total Value of the Project refers to the total project costs, including eligible and ineligible expenses.

For example, if a project had $500,000 of eligible costs and $100,000 of ineligible costs, the project size is $500,000 and the project value would be $600,000.

Q16.  What are eligible/ineligible costs?

A16. Eligible costs generally relate to one-time expenditures (e.g. non-recurring, one-time project initiation costs) to implement a specific project, which will advance your business and help you make a transition to sustainable, new operations. Eligible costs are actual costs directly attributable to and necessary for the completion of the project. These costs are incurred for this project only, and are not associated – in whole or in part – with any other purpose.

For a complete explanation of eligible and ineligible costs please refer to the business or regional application guidebook.

Q17.  Will the EODF match in-kind support? 

A17.  While in-kind support is valuable to projects and demonstrates community support, it is not eligible for matching under the EODF.

Q18.   Are any projects, sectors, or industries ineligible?

A18. Refinancing, acquisitions, “bail-outs”, restructurings, and start ups are ineligible. Businesses should demonstrate that they are moving in a new direction, for example with new products lines or accessing new markets. 

Retail, personal services, electricity generation, primary production (from agriculture, forestry, mining, etc.), free standing restaurants, golf courses, residential development, academic/research institutions, arms length government agencies, and consultants are also ineligible.

Q19. Shopping centres are an important source of jobs in our community.  Are they eligible for funding?

A19.  Retail is not a sector that is supported by the EODF. 

Q20.   I have a business outside of Eastern Ontario.  If my business relocates within the boundaries, am I eligible?

A20.  Relocations from outside Ontario are eligible; relocations from within Ontario should be discussed with EODF program staff. Call the program office at 1-866-909-9951.

Businesses that move from another part of Ontario to eastern Ontario are not eligible unless it is a business expansion.

Q21. Are university-based academic and research institutions and other entities engaged in research and commercialization activities eligible for funding under EODF?

A21.  No. University-based academic and research institutions and other entities engaged in research and commercialization activities may be eligible under other government programs that would be more appropriate to their specific needs, such as those that fall under the mandate of the Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI) or through the federal government.

Through MRI’s various programs (e.g. Ontario Research Fund, Ontario Research Commercialization Program and the Innovation Demonstration Fund), funding is provided to universities, colleges, hospitals, and not-for-profit companies to stimulate research that will transfer technology from the lab to the commercialization stage. See MRI website.

Q22.   Are Research and Development (R&D) projects or costs eligible for EODF funding?

A22.   R&D projects and costs will be evaluated on an individual basis against the eligibility criteria, investment thresholds and job creation targets.

Q23.  Are marketing and branding projects eligible?

A23.  Strong regional and sector development project applications should demonstrate that your community has done significant background research and analysis for a marketing project to be considered for funding.

Q24. Why are Agricultural organizations not eligible for EODF funding? What was the rationale to exclude them?

A24. EODF does not assist primary agriculture, forestry, or mining as there are existing programs/policies to assist those sectors. Projects that involve processing or value added activities post primary production would be eligible.

Q25.  Our community has very few businesses with more than 10 employees. Why is the program limited to companies that have 10 or more employees?

A25. There are over 7000 companies in eastern Ontario with more than 10 employees.  The program thresholds are meant to maximize the impact of the funding on job creation and business growth.

Q26.    Are business start-ups that will employ more than 10 people eligible?

A26.  The program is targeted to companies that have at least 10 employees and can provide at least 3 years of financial statements. The financial history and the business experience of the company owners demonstrate that the company has the resources and expertise to undertake the project and build on its current employment.

Q27.  Are wind farms eligible for funding?

A27.  Electricity generation projects are not eligible for funding.  Renewable energy projects should look at the Renewable Electricity Standard Offer Program for support. A company that manufactures wind turbines could be eligible for EODF.

Q28.  A new community health centre could be a valuable addition to our community. Is it eligible for funding?

A28.  There are other programs that may be available to support the development of a health centre. The EODF supports projects that will result in job growth and investment readiness

APPLICATION PROCESS

Q29. When will I know if my proposal is successful under the Fund? How long does it take?

A29. Once a complete proposal is submitted, and you receive a confirmation of complete proposal, the 45-day customer service guarantee begins.

Q30. Can I apply to the Eastern Ontario Development Fund at any time?

A30.  Yes. EODF accepts applications on a continuous intake basis.

Q31. Are government staff available to help with my application?

A31. Yes. Regional economic development staff from several ministries are available to assist you. You can also contact the EODF office at 1-866-909-9951 if you have specific questions about the program.

Q32.  How many applications can our business/community submit?

A32.  Applicants can receive EODF funding for one project per year. 

Q33.  How important are letters of support as part of the application process?

A33.  Letters of support for regional and sector development projects are critical for demonstrating community support and we encourage applicants to include letters of support. 

Q34.  How can we be sure that confidential company information will be protected in the event of a request under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)?

A34. The Ministry of Economic Development is subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The Act provides every person with a right of access to information in the custody or under the control of the ministry, subject to a limited set of exemptions. Section 17 of the Act provides a limited exemption for third party information that reveals a trade secret or scientific, commercial, technical, financial or labour relations information supplied in confidence where disclosure of the information could reasonably be expected to result in certain harms. Any trade secrets or scientific, technical, commercial, financial or labour relations information submitted to the ministry in confidence should be clearly marked. The ministry will notify you before granting access to a record that might contain information referred to in Section 17 so that you may make representations to the ministry concerning disclosure.

APPLICATIONS NOT APPROVED

Q35. Why was my application not approved?

A35.  Funding decisions are based on the merits of each individual proposal. Ministry staff may be able to provide some constructive feedback regarding some of the weaknesses that were identified in the application. Please call the EODF office at 1-866-909-9951

Q36. Can I appeal that decision?

A36. There is no formal appeal process at this time. After addressing the weaknesses in your application, you may be eligible to re-apply.

Q37.  How can we learn about the types of projects that have been funded? 

A37.  Projects funded through EODF will be announced and/or information will be posted on the EODF website.