Rural Economic Development (RED) Program

Overview of the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program program:

The Rural Economic Development (RED) Program, administered by the Government of Ontario, is designed to foster economic vitality in rural areas. The program provides funding to municipalities, Indigenous communities, nonprofits, and other organizations to develop initiatives that strengthen local economies. Projects funded under the RED Program typically focus on creating jobs, attracting investments, enhancing economic infrastructure, and supporting workforce development. The program prioritizes initiatives that address regional economic challenges and leverage partnerships between businesses and community organizations. Applicants can access funding for planning, implementation, and improvement projects under two streams: the Economic Diversification and Competitiveness Stream and the Strategic Economic Infrastructure Stream.

Benefits of the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program program:

• Supports projects that strengthen and diversify rural economies.
• Enhances workforce capacity through training and skill-building initiatives.
• Attracts investments and creates new employment opportunities.
• Promotes partnerships between local businesses, Indigenous organizations, and nonprofits.
• Funds economic infrastructure improvements, such as broadband expansion and facility upgrades.

Eligibility criteria of the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program program:

• Applicants must be rural or Indigenous communities, municipalities, not-for-profits, or local service boards in Ontario.
• Projects must demonstrate tangible economic benefits, such as job creation, investment attraction, or infrastructure improvements.
• Applications must include a comprehensive project plan, measurable outcomes, and financial details.