Regional Economic Development Programs and Services Drivers of Innovation and Growth for a Thriving Rural Ontario The North Stormont 1 st Annual Community Breakfast Meeting March 3rd, 2014 Avonmore
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Ministry of Rural Affairs Funding Programs
Rural Economic Development Program (RED) RED provides up to $4.5 million funding per year to: Help rural communities and regions build a foundation for economic growth and investment Promote collaboration for economic growth Program Goals: Rural communities and regions have enhanced capacity to succeed Rural communities are healthy and vibrant Regions are economically competitive RED has two streams Planning Stream (capacity building): Economic Development Plans and/or Strategies Research and/or Analysis to Support Planning and Priority Setting Implementation Stream: Business/Sector Development and Diversification Regional Marketing, Promotional and/or Branding Activities Human Capital and Skills Development, Attraction and Retention http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/rural/red/index.html
Rural Economic Development Program (RED) (cont d) Eligible Applicants At a minimum, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria: Be a legal entity Have the authority to enter into a legal agreement Demonstrate how the project will benefit rural Ontario Applicants can include: municipalities, community or not-for-profit organizations, industry and economic development associations, regional organizations, businesses, corporations, First Nations, Metis, Inuit and other broader public sector organizations Businesses and organizations wishing to contract with the applicants for goods and services or provide donations to support the project should not apply Collaborations encouraged but not mandatory. Province provides up to 50% share of eligible costs Examples of Rural Economic Development projects: Strategic Plans, Marketing Strategies, Business Accelerators, Labour Force Attraction, Leadership Development
Local Food Fund (LFF) The LFF provides up to $10 million in funding per year for three years supporting innovative local food projects that: Reduce barriers to regional economic development Result in sustainable regional development Have a positive impact on the Ontario economy Program Goals: To increase the purchase of Ontario foods To contribute to increased economic activity (investment, sales and jobs) There are four project categories: Regional and local food networks Enhanced technology, capacity or minor capital Research and best practices Marketing, promotion and education http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/localfood.htm
Eligible applicants: Local Food Fund (LLF) (cont d) At a minimum, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria: Be a legal entity Have the authority to enter into a legal agreement Applicants can include: corporations, community or not-for-profit organizations, primary producers, food processors, distributors, food service, retail, municipalities, industry associations, economic development associations, First Nations, Metis, Inuit and broader public sector organizations Businesses and organizations wishing to contract with the applicants for goods and services or provide donations to support the project should not apply. Collaborations encouraged but not mandatory. Province provides up to 50% share of eligible costs Examples of Local Food projects: Value Chains, Traceability Systems, Local Food Market Research, Promotion and Marketing Activities
Growing Forward 2 (GF2) GF2 is a comprehensive federal-provincial-territorial framework aimed at encouraging innovation, competitiveness and market development in Canada's agri-food and agri-products sector. In Ontario, farm, food and agri-product businesses, organizations and collaborations can build their own plan and select opportunities to help grow their profits, expand their markets and manage risks. The GF2 Program offers funding assistance to established producers, processors, organizations and collaborations to grow profits, expand markets and manage shared risks. Funding assistance supports six areas of focus where individual businesses can apply for cost-share for Capacity Building activities and Project Implementation. Innovation is a key component present throughout all areas of focus.
Growing Forward 2 (GF2) Who Can Apply? Five-year federal-provincial initiative, designed to encourage innovation, competitiveness and market development Focused on innovation, GF2 is designed to contribute to the economy be more competitive and enable business to reach their goals o o o o Producer Businesses OSCIA (Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association) Processor Businesses OMAF (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food) Organizations AAC (Agricultural Adaptation Council) Collaborations AAC (Agricultural Adaptation Council)
Cost-share for Capacity Building Activities Stakeholder Cost-share % Producers and Processors Organizations & Collaborations 50% 75%
Cost-Share for Implementation-based Projects Stakeholder Producers and Processors Organizations & Collaborations Projects Costshare % Innovation Projects Costshare % 35% 50% 50% Up to 75%
Contact Information Rural Economic Development Program (RED) Web: www.ontario.ca/rural E-mail: RED@ontario.ca Phone: 1-877-424-1300 Local Food Fund (LFF) Web: www.ontario.ca/localfood E-mail: localfoodfund@ontario.ca Phone: 1-877-424-1300 Growing Forward 2 Producers: www.ontariosoilcrop.org Tel: 1-800-265-9751 Processors: www.ontario.ca/growingforward2 Tel: 1-877-424-1300 Organizations and Collaborations: www.adaptcouncil.org Tel: 519-822-7554