INVEST North Program: Investment – Locate Stream
Businesses locating new business operations to Northern Ontario are eligible to apply to the Invest North – Locate Program.
Offered by Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)
Amount
Up to $5 million
Conditional contribution or a combination of a conditional contribution and term loan, on a case-by-case basis, to a maximum of $5 million; combined federal and provincial government funding may not exceed 50% of eligible project costs
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
Businesses locating new business operations to Northern Ontario are eligible to apply to the Invest North – Locate Program.
Before you begin, check if you fall within the eligible region of Northern Ontario.
Program Requirements
The applicant is expected to secure balance of funding/financing necessary to implement the project.
The applicant may be required to reimburse NOHFC if assets financed by NOHFC are sold after project completion.
Not eligible:
No, commercial and industrial land or building development is not eligible under the Invest North program. This includes things like
Building infrastructure to lease or sell
Developing commercial or industrial land
Projects that only cover site servicing or site development costs
However, businesses that mainly provide overnight stays for travelers (such as hotels and motels) do not qualify
No, beverage alcohol manufacturing companies are not considered eligible under NOHFC’s INVEST North – Launch, Grow or Locate programs
What is not eligible
Ineligible projects, costs and activities include but are not limited to
Retail and consumer service businesses that primarily earn revenue by providing
products and services directly to individuals
Ongoing operating costs including maintenance
In-kind contributions
Restructuring or refinancing of existing business operations
Accommodation & food service businesses and related business activities
Businesses that are primarily involved in wholesale activities
Business plans / strategic plans / feasibility studies etc
Assets acquired through operating leases
Research and development
Land purchase/lease
Rolling stock (e.g. cars, trucks & boats and motors
Project management costs / consulting costs / administration costs
Mineral exploration, mine development and milling operations
Working capital • Cost of inventory
Cellular and internet service projects
Capital projects or leasehold improvements to residential or personal properties
Acquisitions and buy-outs of existing businesses
Electricity generation projects
About the funding
How will I know how much funding and the type of funding I can apply for?
Funding options will be discussed during your consultation.
- Funding is in the form of a conditional contribution or a combination of a
conditional contribution and term loan, on a case-by-case basis based on net economic benefit to Northern Ontario, to a maximum of $5 million.
Show all funding details
- Combined Federal and Provincial government funding may not exceed 50% of
eligible project costs.
Funding for each project is determined by the NOHFC Board of Directors, and limited funding is available. Not all projects meeting the criteria will necessarily receive funding.
Eligible projects, activities and associated costs include, but are not limited to:
- Building construction
- Upgrading leased spaces
- Buying new or used equipment
- Land development costs
- Investments in IT and communications
- Marketing new products or businesses (up to 20% of eligible costs or $75,000)
- Third-party training costs (up to 20% of project costs)
Similar programs
| Program | Type | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| INVEST North Program: Investment – Grow Stream | Grant, Loan | Conditional contribution only of up to 20% of total eligible costs to a maximum of $400,000 | Open |
| INVEST North Program: Investment – Launch Stream | Grant | Up to $200,000 | Open |
| Regional Development Program: Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness Stream | Grant, Loan | Up to 15% of eligible project costs | Open |
| AgriScience Program – Projects | Grant, In-Kind Support | Up to $5 million per project and $10 million per applicant over the program's duration (2023 to 2028) | Open |
