Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) – Business project loans is sponsored by Ontario Government. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund | ontario. ca Southwestern Ontario Development Fund How to get support to expand your business or attract business to your community in southwestern Ontario. Skip this page navigation The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund provides support for projects and investments to existing businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in southwestern Ontario.

The objective of the program is to provide financial support and services to help growing companies in eastern and southwestern Ontario make investments to: invest in innovation and skills development generate broad positive regional economic impact create new good, sustainable jobs A project is a distinct undertaking, separate from ongoing operations, that will result in benefits to the organization such as business growth or access to new markets.

The types of support available include: complementary services and support Southwestern Ontario includes the following 18 geographic areas: The fund supports business and community economic development projects.

To be eligible, businesses need to: have at least 3 years of operations/financial statements employ at least 10 people (or 5 if you are in rural Ontario) commit to creating at least 5 new jobs (or 30% increase for companies with fewer than 15 employees) invest at least $500,000 in their project (or $200,000 if you are in rural Ontario) be located in, or plan to locate in, a community in southwestern Ontario Community economic development projects To be eligible, projects need to: be led by municipalities, economic development organizations or sector organizations focus on economic and business development and job creation in the community or region by investing in infrastructure or implementing strategies to advance regional economic development priorities lead to measurable outcomes including private sector investment, growth and job creation invest more than $100,000 have private sector support be used for activities that are new to the organization Ineligible projects include: ongoing operations including maintenance and capital replacement refinancing of existing business operations restructuring, or relocating to other jurisdictions within Ontario construction (for example, residential development) waste management/recycling information and communication services stand-alone restaurants and hotels (unless transformative and considered a regional priority) Up to 15% of eligible project costs.

Up to 15% funding to a maximum of $5M, interest free during the project period (up to 4 years). If you achieve your investment and job targets, up to 30% of the loan (to a maximum of $500,000) may be forgiven.

Grants are available only for specific circumstances, up to 15% to a maximum: Of $500,000 if your company has fewer than 100 employees and is based in rural Ontario (population of your community is less than 100,000 or population density is less than 100 people per square kilometre) Of $1,500,000 for strategic projects that are foreign direct investments or from companies competing against other jurisdictions (in limited circumstances) You are not allowed to combine (or “stack”) Southwestern Ontario Development funding with other provincial programs.

Community economic development projects Up to 50% of eligible project costs for a maximum grant of up to $1. 5 million. You are not allowed to combine (or “stack”) Southwestern Ontario Development funding with other provincial programs.

Complementary services and support Complementary Services and Supports are available when you submit a complete application to the Eastern Ontario Development Fund or Southwestern Ontario Development Fund through the Regional Development Program. These services are available for the duration of your project regardless of the funding outcome.

Services will be coordinated by working with partner ministries until they are delivered, closed-out or finalized. Businesses may be eligible for other assistance related to advisory services, assistance with environmental compliance approvals, assistance in accessing skills and talent, and information related to available tax credits.

Community economic development projects Applicants may be eligible for other assistance related to advisory services and navigation support for land-use planning and workforce development. Application deadlines and decisions There are multiple application intake periods per year for full applications. Applicants will be notified of decisions within approximately 60 business days of the application deadline.

Prior to an application, you are required to discuss your project with a regional advisor who can help you assess your fit with the program and provide advice on application preparation.

Application Period 23 2026 Application submission period: June 30, 2026 – September 23, 2026 Application deadline: September 23, 2026 Notification date: December 17, 2026 *Registration on TPON and consulting with regional advisor regarding your application is advised two weeks in advance of the application deadline.

Application Period 22 2026 Application submission period: February 26, 2026 – May 27, 2026 Application deadline: May 27, 2026 Notification date: August 20, 2026 *Registration on TPON and consulting with regional advisor regarding your application is advised two weeks in advance of the application deadline.

Application Period 21 2025 Application submission period: November 4, 2025 – February 3, 2026 Application deadline: February 3, 2026 Notification date: April 30, 2026 *Registration on TPON and consulting with regional advisor regarding your application is advised two weeks in advance of the application deadline.

Application Period 20 2025 Application submission period: June 19, 2025 – September 17, 2025 Application deadline: September 17, 2025 Notification date: December 11, 2025 *Registration on TPON and consulting with regional advisor regarding your application is advised two weeks in advance of the application deadline. Application Period 19 2025 The application period ending May 21, 2025 is now closed.

Applicants with complete applications will be notified of a decision by August 14, 2025. Application Period 18 2024 The application period ending January 28, 2025 is now closed. Application Period 17 2024 The application period ending September 26, 2024 is now closed.

Application Period 16 2024 The application period ending May 30, 2024 is now closed. Application Period 15 2024 The application period ending February 8, 2024 is now closed. Application Period 14 2023 The application period ending October 5, 2023, is now closed.

Application Period 13 2023 The application period ending June 15, 2023 is now closed. Application Period 12 2023 The application period ending February 23, 2023 is now closed. Application Period 11 2022 The application period ending on November 17, 2022, is now closed.

Application Period 10 2022 The application period ending on August 25, 2022, is now closed. Application Period 9 2022 The application period ending April 21, 2021 is now closed. Step 1: Complete the online self assessment tool.

Step 2: Contact a regional advisor for help with your application. Step 3: Register for Transfer Payment Ontario . TPON is the Province of Ontario’s online application system for grant funding.

Before applying for a funding opportunity, all applicants must first register with TPON following a three-step process. When registering an organization on TPON , ensure you have the necessary information ( e.g. , legal business name) and official business documents ( e.g. , Canadian Revenue Agency Business Number) readily available. Please enter the data accurately to avoid unnecessary delays.

Applicants with technical questions about TPON can contact the TPON Customer Service Line toll-free at 1-855-216-3090 or toll free TTY at 1-800-268-7095, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a. m. to 5:00 p.

m. Eastern Standard Time, or by email at tponcc@ontario. ca .

Step 4: Work with your regional advisor to complete the application form, and submit the application on TPON along with the required supplemental information. Learn more about details about submitting an application form on TPON . For business projects, review the key documents including, program guidelines and a sample application form .

For community economic development projects, review the key documents including program guidelines and a sample application form .

Successful projects need to: align with the fund’s goals of investment attraction and job creation in the regions provide economic benefits (create jobs, contribute to the region or develop the sector) be achievable (i.e. applicants need to have the necessary financing, project management structure and experience to implement the project) For advice on developing and strengthening your application, you are encouraged to contact your regional advisor or our Business Advisory Services at: Business Advisory Services - Western Region Main Office westernregionbas@ontario.

ca Toll-free: 1-800-361-3223 Toll-free TTY : 1-800-268-7095 Business Advisory Services - Central Region Main Office centralregionbas@ontario. ca Toll-free: 1-800-361-3223 Toll-free TTY : 1-800-268-7095 For more information, please contact us at: swodf@ontario. ca Updated: February 12, 2026