Funding & Resources

Below you will find details and links to some programs that are available for manufacturers. Please note there are other programs and resources that may be available to you as this list is not exhaustive. If you have specific funding or resource needs, please contact us and we will assist you where possible to connect you with appropriate program contacts.

Although we make every effort to keep the listing up to date, we encourage you to contact the NMA team if you become aware of a program or initiative that may be of benefit to manufacturers.

Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)

Employers may apply for up to $7,500 per placement to hire post secondary students. For additional and up to date information go to https://offers.emccanada.org/en-ca/emcwil

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF)

Current intake accepting application forms until December 14th, 2021. Program provides support for projects and investments to businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in eastern Ontario. Types of support available for businesses:

Loans – Up to 15% of eligible funding to a maximum of $5 Million, interest free during the project period (up to 4 years). If investment and job targets are achieved up to 30% of the loan (to a maximum of $500,000) may be forgiven.

Grants – 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)

Program may support businesses to grow, improve productivity, invest in innovation and skill development, pursue new markets, create jobs, etc. It is recommended that projects run for 3 to 4 years. For businesses a minimum eligible investment of $500,000 (or $200,000 if you are in rural Ontario) and a commitment to creating at least 5 new jobs (or 30% increase for companies with fewer than 15 employees) is required. This is a two step application submission process beginning with an Eligibility Checklist which can be found at Transfer Payment Ontario. For additional and up to date program information go to https://www.ontario.ca/page/eastern-ontario-development-fund

Jobs and Growth Fund

Program may provide an interest free repayable contribution up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $10 Million. Note: Certain costs may be eligible on a retroactive basis from April 19, 2021. Program may support activities such as the development and adoption of clean technology, digital and technological solutions to increase and promote business productivity, and investment in technologies that help scale businesses, enhance their capabilities and increase resilience. Activities that strengthen capacity in sectors critical to Canada’s recovery and growth, such as scale-up and market expansion activities, and supply chain adaptation and diversification opportunities, may also be supported. Application forms are being accepted on a continuous basis until funding is fully allocated. For additional and up to date program information go to http://www.feddevontario.gc.ca/eic/site/723.nsf/eng/h_02654.html

To register for an upcoming information session on this program go to https://www.feddevontario.gc.ca/eic/site/723.nsf/eng/h_h02654.html

Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP)

Program may provide a non-repayable grant of up to $150,000 at a 50% contribution rate to those companies with at least 50% of total sales revenue coming from the auto supply sector. Eligible projects include technology adoption, tools and technologies to support new product development (e.g. adoption of technologies to assist with the engineering and design of new products) and lean manufacturing (e.g. adoption of lean manufacturing techniques). The next application intake will open on November 15, 2021. For additional and up to date program information go to https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-automotive-modernization-program

Skills Development Fund (SDF)

Skills Development Fund (SDF) – Program does not have a maximum or minimum funding amounts, however, the fund is intended to have a significant impact, so program will first consider applications with a project budget greater than $150,000 and may choose to fund all or a portion of the applicant’s request. Continuous application form intake. Program aims to help Ontario recover from the disruptive effects of COVID on the labour market through:

a. Skills/talent development – Bridging gap between employee skills and employers needs
b. Supporting innovative training solutions – To keep pace with changes in the workforce and the businesses skills and development needs of employers
c. Support talent pipeline – Development of meaning partnerships between training providers and employers
d. Relieve pandemic-induced labour and financial impact on businesses who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic
e. Reduce administrative burdens and human resourcing (training and recruitment processes)
f. Improve capacity of communities to respond to shocks to labour market conditions and support the province’s priority sectors: advanced manufacturing, life sciences and technology.

For additional and up to date program information go to http://www.ontario.ca/page/skills-development-fund

Work-Sharing – Employment and Social Development Canada

Link: www.esdc.gc.ca/en/funding/work_sharing/apply.page

Work-Sharing (WS) is an adjustment program designed to help employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer. The measure provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week while their employer recovers.

Work-Sharing is a three-party agreement involving employers, employees and Service Canada. Employees on a Work-Sharing agreement must agree to a reduced schedule of work and to share the available work over a specified period of time.

Employment Insurance (EI) and Work Force Reduction program - Service Canada – Downsizing

Link: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/employers/downsizing.shtml

For companies who may have to restructure and reduce the overall number of employees, this program may help in allowing your employees who agree to leave their jobs to preserve the jobs of co-workers, to qualify for benefits.

Canada-Ontario Job Grant

Link: www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/eopg/cojg/index.html

The Job Grant will provide direct financial support to individual employers who wish to purchase training for their employees. It will be available to small, medium and large businesses with a plan to deliver short-term training to existing and new employees, and will:

Provide up to $10,000 in government support per person for training costs.
Require employers to contribute one-third of the total costs. There will be additional flexibility for small businesses to provide an in-kind contribution towards their share of the costs.
Require training to be delivered by an eligible, third-party trainer.
If you’re an employer with a particular skills demand, the Canada-Ontario Job Grant might be right for you.

Applications are now open for the grant program.

FedDev Programs

Advanced Manufacturing Fund

Link: www.feddevontario.gc.ca/eic/site/723.nsf/eng/h_01855.html
Promotes continued growth and increased productivity of Ontario’s advanced manufacturing sector by supporting large-scale transformative manufacturing activities, advancing adoption of cutting-edge technologies, establishing clusters or global supply chains and fostering collaboration between the private sector and higher education and research institutions.

Canada Business Ontario (CBO)

Link: www.cbo-eco.ca/en/
Provides federal and provincial business information (free) on starting a business, government financing programs, exporting, taxation, how to hire employees

Economic Development Initiative

Link: www.feddevontario.gc.ca/eic/site/723.nsf/eng/h_00098.html
Supports business and economic development activities that encourage sustainable growth in southern Ontario’s Francophone communities with community strategic planning, as well as business and economic development activities.

Other Services & Programs

RDP Associates

Don’t know where to start? Or need help in finding the best funding opportunities for your company? Contact NMA Associate Member - RDP Associates for your free assessment.

Brian Cookson, bcookson@rdpassociates.com
Link: www.rdpassociates.com

Export Development Canada

Link: www.edc.ca
Export Development Canada (EDC) provides Canadian exporters with financing, insurance and bonding services, as well as foreign market expertise.

Manufacturing Resource Centre

Link: www.manufacturingrc.ca
An active agent working on behalf of manufacturers in Hastings County, Lennox & Addington County, Northumberland County and Prince Edward County and the separated municipalities of Belleville and Quinte West.

Northumberland Business Advisory Centre

Link: www.businessadvisorycentrenorthumberland.ca
Delivers service programs focused on improving business growth and retention in Northumberland County.

Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC)

Link: www.financingandstrategy.com
Federally funded not-for-profit corporation that provides access to capital and business counseling. It is also the administrator, in Northumberland County, of the Eastern Ontario Development Fund.

Spark Centre

Link: www.sparkcentre.org
Regional innovation centre serving Durham and Northumberland to assist technology companies.

Ontario Government Funding, Programs and Services

Link: www.investinontario.com/incentive-programs-and-services

Canadian Government Business & Industry Grants & Financing

Link: http://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/grants/index.html

Disclaimer: While we endeavour to keep this website and documents as current as possible, any references herein may be subject to change and we encourage you to confirm the applicability of any information by contacting the NMA management team.