Administered by Government of Ontario, Regional Development Program
Loan of up to 15% of eligible costs to $5M, interest-free during the project, for southwestern Ontario businesses. Period 24 closes Jan 21, 2027.
The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund is a performance-based loan first. Businesses can receive up to 15% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $5 million, interest-free during the project period of up to four years, and up to 30% of the loan (to a maximum of $500,000) may be forgiven if investment, job and payroll targets are met. After completion, interest runs at Ontario's cost of borrowing plus 3%. Grants are available only in two limited cases: up to $500,000 for small and rural companies with fewer than 100 FTEs, and up to $1.5 million for strategic new investments. Municipalities, economic development and sector organizations can apply under a separate community stream at up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum grant of $1.5 million. Eligible areas: Brant, Bruce, Chatham-Kent, Dufferin, Elgin, Essex, Grey, Haldimand, Huron, Lambton, Middlesex, Niagara, Norfolk, Oxford, Perth, Simcoe, Waterloo and Wellington. Durham, Toronto, Peel, York and Halton are not on either fund's list.
The total program pool, per-organization max, and what your contribution has to be.
This program does not publish an aggregate annual funding pool.
Matching contribution required from your organization (at least 85% of eligible costs).
Run your business through the Grant Finder for a live eligibility check against every requirement in this program.
Tell us a few things about your business and we'll run a live eligibility check against this program — and surface every other Canadian program you qualify for.
Find your matches →The practical sequence, from a firm that files these claims every week.
Use the tool on the Ontario program page for the business stream.
Required before you apply. Contact swodf@ontario.ca. Ontario advises consulting the advisor and registering on TPON two weeks before the deadline.
The form is only available through TPON, under Submit for Funding.
Part 1 is the eligibility checklist. Do not complete Part 2 unless you are eligible.
Submit during the intake period. An incomplete application can be deferred to the next intake.
What you need ready before you apply.
Ontario does not consider SWODF applications submitted by a third party, and the primary contact must be your employee. GovMoney can help you test the numbers before you apply.
Consultant costs for an application are not eligible project costs, and Ontario says using an external firm has no bearing on success.
Book a free callQuestions we get from applicants every week.
A loan first. Grants are offered only to small and rural companies (up to $500,000) and for strategic new investments (up to $1.5 million, in very limited circumstances).
January 21, 2027. The period opened November 3, 2026, and applicants are notified by April 20, 2027.
No stacking with other provincial sources for the project, except tax credits, company-wide programs and the program's complementary services. Funding from federal, provincial and municipal sources together cannot exceed 50%.
Three concrete moves. Do them yourself or hand off to GovMoney.
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