Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP)
Through its Northern Ontario Development Program, FedNor invests in projects led by municipalities, First Nations, and other organizations and institutions that support community economic development, diversification, job creation and self-reliant communities in Northern Ontario.
Offered by Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)
Amount
Business Growth and Competitiveness: up to 50 percent toward eligible supported costs; Community Economic Development: up to 33 percent of eligible capital and up to 50 percent of eligible non-capital costs; Community Investment Initiative for Northern Ontario: up to 90% of eligible costs to a maximum of $100,000 annually for a period of up to three years (regional project up to $170,000)
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
- Projects led by municipalities, First Nations, and other organizations and institutions
- In Northern Ontario
- Please contact a FedNor officer to discuss your project prior to submitting an application under the program
- Business Growth and Competitiveness: Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within key industry sectors
- Community Investment Initiative for Northern Ontario: Funding is available for small communities or First Nations to hire a qualified individual to help develop the local economy
About the funding
Business Growth and Competitiveness
Focused on the accelerated growth of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within key industry sectors and their contribution to the expansion of the regional economy. This priority includes investments in projects that facilitate access to capital, support modernization of operational and management processes, and increase trade, exports, and access to new markets.
Community Economic Development priority
Recognizing the unique challenges facing Northern Ontario communities, many of which are small, rural and remote, FedNor targets its support to help them create the conditions necessary for economic growth and development. This includes investments in projects such as strategic community and business planning, strengthening of communities’ industrial and business assets, implementation of priority initiatives, as well as support for youth internships.
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Community Investment Initiative for Northern Ontario
Funding is available for small communities or First Nations to hire a qualified individual to help develop the local economy. This economic development professional will work to foster opportunities and partnerships in your region, and help implement strategies that seek to strengthen your community and create jobs.
Business Growth and Competitiveness: assistance available for SMEs is generally repayable; the amount of the awarded contribution will be based on the minimum amount required for the project to proceed; terms of repayment normally begin no later than one year following the completion of the project. Community Economic Development: assistance includes repayable and non-repayable contributions, normally repayable where proposed projects generate profits for the eligible applicant; eligible applicants are expected to contribute a minimum of 10 percent of project costs. Community Investment Initiative for Northern Ontario: contributions will be non-repayable.
Businesses funded by this program
141 businesses funded since 2021
10 most recent recipients
| Business | Location | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Wahkohtowin Development GP Inc | Chapleau, ON | 2026 |
| Kap Paper Inc. | Kapuskasing, ON | 2025 |
| Communities of the Montreal River Power Corp. | Cobalt, ON | 2025 |
| Cole-Munro Trout Farms Inc | Little Current, ON | 2025 |
| Sharpe Farm Supplies Ltd. | Spring Bay, ON | 2025 |
| Shwe Miikaan Limited Partnership | Pickerel, ON | 2025 |
| Koch Grain Elevator (Earlton) Inc. | Earlton, ON | 2025 |
| 11017624 Canada Corp. | Massey, ONTARIO, ON | 2025 |
| Windigo Ventures General Partner Ltd. | Sioux Lookout, ON | 2025 |
| Opeewin Corp. | Chapleau, ON | 2025 |
Source: Government of Canada, Proactive Disclosure of Grants and Contributions.
Similar programs
| Program | Type | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario Together Trade Fund | Grant, Loan | Up to $5 million | Open |
| Regional Development Program: Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness Stream | Grant, Loan | Up to 15% of eligible project costs | Open |
| Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program (FSIIP) – Business Projects | Loan, Grant | Performance-based loan of up to a maximum of 30% of eligible project costs (forgivable portion to a maximum of 50% of the loan amount) | Open |
| FedNor Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) for Northern Ontario | Loan, Grant | Contributions to for-profit organizations will normally be repayable, eligible for reimbursement up to 50% of capital costs and 75% for non-capital costs | Open |
