1.
Rural Economic Development Program
Information Session
January 24, 2023
February 1, 2023
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

2.
Territorial
Acknowledgement
2

3.
Session Objectives
Provide an overview
of the RED Intake
1
Provide guidance on
developing a RED
project
2
Outline helpful tips
for completing the
application process
3
3

4.
Overview
Ontario’s Rural Economic Development (RED) program is cost-share funding which
supports activities that create strong rural communities in Ontario, and opens doors to
rural economic development.
4
Since 2019, the RED program has committed
more than $17.2M to fund 308 projects with
outcomes that:
• Create or retain jobs in rural Ontario
• Better position rural communities to attract or
retain investment
• Build rural community capacity to attract,
retain and expand businesses
• Enhance strategic economic infrastructure
• Drive economic growth through regional
partnerships
Projects must be undertaken in rural Ontario or
benefit rural Ontario. Rural Ontario includes
census subdivisions with under 100,000 in
population, or population density under 100
people/km2 (Based on Census 2021 data)
Single and multi-year projects are eligible for
funding.
The guidelines for RED program intake have been
updated and should be fully reviewed before
submitting an application.

5.
Submitting an Application
The Rural Economic Development (RED) program intake opening was on January 23, 2023.
To view the full program guidelines and download an application visit: www.ontario.ca/redprogram
5
Please submit your completed application,
including supporting documentation and co-
applicant form (if applicable) via email to:
RED@ontario.ca
Deadline: February 23, 2023 at 5 pm ET
Applicants will receive confirmation with an
application number within 10 business days of the
receipt of the application
The RED program is application-based and
projects are selected using a competitive
process.
We discourage multiple applications from the
same Lead Applicant.
Please read these program guidelines before
completing your application form.
All applications are assessed based on these
guidelines.

6.
Who is Eligible?
Municipalities
Not-for-Profit Entities
Indigenous communities and
organizations
Local Services Board
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The following organizations
are eligible:
Lead applicant
• the primary contact with OMAFRA
• signs the Contribution Agreement and receives all payments
• assume joint and several liability for the Project
Co-applicants
• contribute financial or in-kind resources, are directly engaged
in the project
• assume the same level of responsibility for the success of the
project as the Lead Applicant
• sign the Contribution Agreement with the Ministry
Partners
• contribute financial or in-kind resources to the project
• without signing the Contribution Agreement with the Ministry

7.
7
Economic
Diversification and
Competitiveness
Stream
Strategic Economic
Infrastructure
Stream

8.
Economic Diversification and Competitiveness
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Combined federal and provincial
funding cannot exceed 90 per cent of
the Project’s eligible costs
All costs for projects of this type
must be non-capital costs
7 Project types:
• Entrepreneurship/Business Succession
• Business Retention & Expansion
• Downtown Revitalization
• Technology Adoption / Innovation Initiatives
• Attraction & Retention of
Workers/Youth/Immigrants/Youth
• Collaborative marketing & Outreach
• Sector / Value Chain Development
Projects that remove barriers for business growth, support investment attraction,
strengthen sector & regional partnerships and diversify regional economies
Maximum Provincial Cost Share
50%
Maximum Provincial Funding
$150,000

9.
Strategic Economic Infrastructure
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Combined federal and provincial
funding cannot exceed 90 per cent of
the Project’s eligible costs.
Majority of costs must be for Minor
Capital costs
3 Project Types:
• Rehabilitation of cultural, historic,
heritage or tourism attractions
• Redevelopment of vacant and/or
underutilized buildings
• Streetscaping and landscaping
Maximum Provincial Cost Share
30%
Maximum Provincial Funding
$250,000
Projects improve physical assets that have been identified as strategically important to
the community.

10.
Assessment Criteria – Application will be scored based on:
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Reducing economic barriers
The project reduces economic barriers to economic development that have been identified through a previously
completed community assessment (e.g.,​​​​​​​ BR+E, strategic plan).
Alignment with the Rural Economic Development program’s outcomes
The project addresses one or more of the following RED program outcomes.
Project work plan
The project has a detailed work plan listing each activity or key milestone required to complete the project, the
specific eligible items associated with that activity, their estimated cost, and the anticipated start and end date of
that activity.
Collaboration and Partnership
Communities or organizations beyond the Lead Applicant that are offering financial and/or in-kind support for the
project.
Regional, Sector or Value Chain Impacts
The project is expected to generate impacts at a regional level, across communities,
sectors and/ or value chains.

11.
Assessment Criteria – Application will be scored based on:
Sustainability
The project will contribute to longer-term economic development activities and outcomes after RED​​​​​​​
program funding ends.
Project budget
The project budget identifies eligible costs that are reasonable and well-supported.
Project oversight
The project will be managed by organizations and individuals that have experience.
Financial commitment
Applicant(s) have made a financial commitment to the Project.
11

12.
Eligible cost items for all projects
New Hires
Wages and mandatory employer related costs (MERCs) for new hires directly
employed by the applicant who work one hundred per cent (100%) of their time on
project-related activities
Other costs for new hires directly employed by the applicant who work 100 % of their
time on project-related activities, including:
• laptops, computers, software ;
• travel in Ontario, specifically the costs of meals and mileage (in compliance with
the province's Travel, Meal and Hospitality Directive)
• portable internet services, cell phones, cellular network services if travel is
required;
• professional development fees (e.g. conference or workshop registration)
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13.
Eligible cost items for all projects
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Professional fees
Project-related fees, including legal, architectural, engineering, environmental, surveys,
project management, or accounting fees
Technology
Project-related computer, communications and audio or video equipment (e.g. camera, 3D
printer, or smart boards), project-related software (such as a customer relationship
management platform, survey, design or virtual meeting applications)
Marketing or promotion
Related costs, including media, promotions, branding/design, collateral and tools, outreach
(e.g. awareness program), honorariums for Indigenous Elders to attend events

14.
Eligible Costs for Specific project types
Economic Diversification & Competitiveness Stream only
• Training development and speaker fees (not including travel)
• Workshop and training-related materials and supplies costs
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15.
Eligible Costs for Specific project types
Strategic Economic Infrastructure only
o Minor capital:
o contractor’s fees
o cost of materials or supplies and labour, equipment and machinery
o furniture) and major appliances
o localized Wi-Fi hardware and software for public use
o project-related technology computer, communications and audio or video
equipment
o streetscaping and landscaping such as wayfinding signage, decorative lighting,
banners, murals, street furniture, interpretive elements, public art, trees, and
accessibility equipment outside of a building
o trail rehabilitation (non-paved surfaces), including existing trail bridges
15

16.
Ineligible Projects (not exhaustive)
The following projects are ineligible for funding :
• submissions with incomplete applications
• projects receiving any amount of other provincial funding
• projects that do not meet the program’s eligibility criteria
• academic research projects
• debt restructuring, fundraising or financing projects
• influence or lobby any level of government
• major capital projects
• marketing and outreach projects that do not have an impact across sectors, value chains,
or at least two lower-tier or one single-tier jurisdictional boundaries.
• those projects primarily benefitting an individual business
• projects that do not benefit Rural Ontario
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17.
Ineligible Projects (not exhaustive)
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The following projects are ineligible for funding if their primary purpose is to:
• become compliant with current Requirements of Law (for example, AODA)
• develop strategic plans (for example, economic development, feasibility, marketing,
research or evaluation plans)
• identify and inventory existing assets (for example, industrial land inventories,
business directories)
• ready a property or asset for immediate or imminent sale

18.
RED Application Writing
Process

19.
Articulate Project Need
What actions will be done in the project
to reduce barriers?
How do you know those barriers exist?
Why your organization?
What can your organization do under its
current mandate? Does the project
align with that mandate?
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Articulate the
need
Understand
program
requirements
Refine the
concept
Write and
submit
application
Project
Implementation
Project
evaluation

20.
Understand Program Requirements
Which of the five program outcomes does your
project address?
Does your project rate well based on the criteria in
the guidelines?
Is your organization, project, and potential costs
eligible?
What projects have been funded in the past?
20
Articulate the
need
Understand
program
requirements
Refine the
concept
Write and
submit
application
Project
Implementation
Project
evaluation

21.
Refine the Concept
Are there other organizations that could help?
Does this project address a need or priority
established in previous work?
Is there any supporting information required that will
help support your application?
Can you identify and describe the impacts that are
expected by undertaking the project?
Have specific project costs for each proposed activity
been well defined, and based on a strong rationale?
21
Articulate the
need
Understand
program
requirements
Refine the
concept
Write and
submit
application
Project
Implementation
Project
evaluation

22.
Write and Submit the Application
Read the guidelines in full
Answer all the questions in the application
• Keep language simple and direct
• Assume analysts do not know the context
Review (and review again)
22
Articulate the
need
Understand
program
requirements
Refine the
concept
Write and
submit
application
Project
Implementation
Project
evaluation

23.
23
Announced projects: Rural Economic Development program
• Use this area to provide a concise overview of the entire project and
what you hope the project will achieve
• Provide a breakdown of the major activities
• Identify any partners that will be involved in the project, outline their
role and the benefits of their involvement
• This should link to the workplan activities

24.
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• Use this area to identify and describe the barriers that the proposed project
will reduce, and how actions undertaken through the project will reduce
them
• Provide a description and reference to the barriers were identified (e.g.
studies, plans, consultations)
Section 2.4 – Reducing Economic Barriers

25.
Section 2.5 Outcomes
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RED Program outcomes:
• jobs created or retained
• investment attracted or retained
• businesses attracted, retained,
and/or expanded
• enhanced strategic economic
infrastructure
• regional partnerships that drive
growth
Assessment criteria
Strong RED projects identify the
following, through the application and
supporting documents:
Strong alignment with three or more
RED program outcomes that will be
addressed by the project
Provide detailed description of how
actions undertaken through the project
will address those outcomes

26.
RED Program Outcomes Definitions
Jobs created and/or retained: the number of new paid positions created during or after the
project that will result in longer term jobs that can be directly attributed to project activities
and might not have otherwise been created; and/or the number of existing jobs that will be
maintained within a community during or after the project that can be directly attributed to
project activities and might not have otherwise been retained
Investment attracted or retained: the attraction of new investments from public and
private sources or the retention of investments in a community that might not have stayed
without the activities of the project
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27.
RED Program Outcomes Definitions
27
Businesses attracted, retained and/or expanded: the number of businesses that have
newly opened, remained, and/or grown within a community that could reasonably be
attributed to the activities of the project
Enhanced strategic economic infrastructure: the improvement of physical assets that
have been identified as strategically important to the community. The enhancements
would rehabilitate and renewal those assets and preserve and enhance the unique
character and quality of life of a community for future generations
Regional partnerships that drive growth: partnerships between two or more
communities or organizations, either formal or informal, that agree to work together to
drive growth. Collaborative, regional partnerships help pool limited resources, both
human and financial and can increase the project’s effectiveness

28.
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Section 2.6 – Project Impacts
• RED provides preference to projects with regional or cross-sectoral impacts. Use
this area to describe any anticipated impacts that the project will have across:
• Multiple communities in a region, multiple sectors in a community/region,
different parts of a value chain
• Describe impacts in as much detail as possible, using and referencing support
where possible (e.g. studies, consultation results, etc.)

29.
29
• Use this area to describe how you will ensure that the outcomes of this
project contribute to economic development after RED funding ends
• Consider things like sustainability plans, knowledge and technology transfer,
or succession plans
Section 2.6 - Sustainability

30.
30
• Provides details about organization/individual(s) who will be leading the project
and their experience as it relates to the project
• Resources and skills the organization will contribute to success of the project:
o Examples of similar projects that were overseen, undertaken and
implemented by the organization
o Successful funding projects that have been administered by the Ministry
Section 2.6 – Project oversight

31.
2.7 Project Timelines
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• List project start and finish dates
• Timelines should be consistent with :
• 3.1 Project Work Plan and
• 3.6 Project Costs by Fiscal Year
`

32.
3.1 Project Work Plan
32
• Provide a detailed explanation of how the
project will be successfully completed by
filling out the:
• project work plan and
• budget templates
• The project workplan should list :
• each activity required to complete the
project and
• the anticipated start and end date of each
activity
• Attach relevant documentation to support
your application

33.
3.2 Project Budget
33
Describe cost items in as much
detail as you can
Add relevant documentation to
support your application
Consult the program guidelines to
determine if costs are eligible
If you are unsure, contact an Advisor

34.
3.3 Extenuating Circumstances
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Additionally, financial need would have to be
further substantiated by an inability to
access project funding from other sources.
The Minister retains the right to approve
project funding at a lower cost-share level
than requested.
Applicants may request increased
provincial cost-share funding as an
extenuating circumstance request.
For the purposes of an extenuating
circumstance request, financial need is
defined as financial barriers to
economic development which are
significant and not commonly relevant
across program applicants.

35.
3.4 Funding Requested
35

36.
36
Forecast eligible costs over the duration of the project by fiscal quarter
Ensure forecasts align with project start and end dates, and the start and end dates in the
work plan
3.5 Project Costs by Fiscal Year

37.
37
List all sources of funding for
the project
The non-provincial share of
eligible costs must be secured
by applicant(s)
Secured funding means a
written commitment for
financial or in-kind resources
3.6 Applicant(s) Contribution and Additional Funding Sources

38.
Project Evaluation - What makes a weak application?
Project is not well defined
• Poor fit with program objectives
• No clear objectives & deliverables/outcomes
Lack of financial information, supporting
documentation, incomplete applications
• Costs and project activities not clearly defined
• Project budget, expenditure and source of
funding numbers do not match or math is
incorrect
• Unsecured funding
• Lack of letters of support from partners
documenting contributions
38
Articulate the
need
Understand
program
requirements
Refine the
concept
Write and
submit
application
Project
Implementation
Project
evaluation

39.
RED Program Process
Intake Opens Intake Closes
Assessment
and Selection
Decisions and
Notification
Finalization of
Contribution
Agreement
39

40.
Final Check Before Submitting Application
Required
A completed RED program application form
Recommended
Letters from partners and co-applicants confirming their financial or in-kind
contribution to the project.
Supporting documentation:
• Quotes / estimates
• Feasibility studies, strategic plans, reports, relevant research, or
• Documentation that supports the need for the project and anticipated impacts.
• Written confirmation of financial or in-kind resources for a project
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41.
Resources
Program Materials - Guidelines & Application
www.ontario.ca/redprogram
Public Webinar - Sign up at this link
Feb 1 – 10 am
Questions - General RED program
1-877-424-1300
ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca
Advisors are available for RED Coaching
appointments
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42.
• Review the program guidelines in
advance
• Share a project summary with the
Advisor
• If complete, share application and
supporting materials
• Plan ahead and have enough time
to make changes based on advisor
feedback
• Virtual coaching appointments can
be scheduled at this link
Tips for Working with an Advisor
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Get the most out of a coaching session

43.
Questions
43
Agriculture Information Contact Centre
1-877-424-1300
ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca
www.ontario.ca/redprogram