The Government of Canada maintains a long list of hundreds of grants, loans, tax credits and more, including tariff support resources. You also may wish to try using the Canadian Government's Business Benefits Finder that is updated regularly. It can help you better narrow down what's available to specifically fit your need(s).

*New - Ontario is Investing $1.3 Billion to Protect Manufacturing Workers and Jobs

On May 5, 2025 the Ontario Government announced it is expanding the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit, providing an additional $1.3 Billion over three years to help lower costs for businesses that invest in buildings, machinery and equipment that are used for manufacturing or processing in Ontario. Learn more.

Facade and Building Improvement Supports

Some of our local member municipalities across Hastings County have introduced what is known as a "Community Improvement Plan", or "CIP". This permits municipalities in Ontario to provide financial assistance to private property owners and businesses in a defined area including tax assistance, grants or loans.

Hastings County municipalities that currently offer grants for improvements through a CIP include:

Town of Bancroft - Tax Increment Equivalent Grant Program

Municipality of Centre Hastings - Community Improvement Plan

Marmora and Lake - Community Improvement Plan

Municipality of Tweed - Community Improvement Plan

The federally funded Community Futures Development Corporation located in Bancroft, which covers most of our County, also offers financial support for facade improvement. They have a grant program (50% of eligible costs up to $3,000) to assist businesses with facade improvements that will result in enhanced accessibility to the business or improvements that will result in a positive environmental impact either by the improvement made or the materials used. Contact their office for more information and to apply.

Government and utility programs to support business owners

Energy Efficiency for Business & Industry | Save on Energy

Energy Efficiency for Small Business | Save on Energy

Energy Training & Support for Contractors & Allies | Save on Energy

Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program

Grants and others programs accepting applications 

CanExport SMEs funding is now open until May 31, 2025.(Get up to $50,000 to cover 50% of costs of exporting products or services to countries where you have little or no sales)

Ontario Together Trade Fund - Financial support to help businesses near-term investments so they can serve interprovincial customers, develop new markets and re-shore critical supply chains in the face of U.S. tariffs.

Futurpreneur - Core startup program and flexible, equity-free startup business loan of up to $75,000 including up to $50,000 in financing from BDC

Starter Company Plus Grant (Small Business Centre). Open until May 23, 2025

Summer Company grant 2025  Applications opened May 2. Space is limited and the program reaches capacity quickly!

Canada-Ontario Jobs Grant (Up to $10,000 for training)

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (up to 15% funding to a maximum of $5 million)

(SR&ED) Scientific Research and Experimental Development (earn tax incentives that reduce income tax payable) 

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program Open (until funds are used) 

Grants for Theatre Creators (Ontario Arts Council)

Exhibition Assistance (Ontario Arts Council)

Indigenous Visual Artists' Materials (Ontario Arts Council)

2025 - Market Development Travel (Ontario Arts Council)

Loans

Funding for businesses in southern Ontario (FedDev)

Currently closed - Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in southern Ontario (FedDev)

BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada) 

Black Opportunity Fund 

Business Scale-up and Productivity - FedDev Ontario

Community Economic Development Diversification - FedDev Ontario 

Community Futures 

FACE (Federation of African Canadian Economics)

FCC Women Entrepreneur Program

Futurpreneur - Ages 18-39

IAPO First Nations Farm & Business Financing

PARO - Women

WEOC (Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada)

Other organizations accepting ongoing submissions

100 Women Who Care (Bancroft)

Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Capital

Applied Research and Development Grant

Alliance Grant (R&D partnerships with educational institutions and businesses)

Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund (FACE)

Black Opportunity Fund (contact for current funding availability)

BITS Bucks (Up to $5,000 grant/loan for youth 18-34)

Community Futures Development Corp. - Local Initiatives Program (L.I.P.) (Up to $3,500 for incorporated not-for-profits)

Community Futures Development Corp. - Facade Improvement Grant

First Nations Women’s Entrepreneurship program (FNWE) (Loans and grants up to $15,000)

Grow Your Business Online Grant ($2,400)

Hockey Canada - Call for Indigenous Artists 

ODSP Start Up Benefit (Up to $500 for training and business costs)

Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (partial funding)

PEFIP (Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program)

Rhyze Up! (Female-led businesses)

Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (various programs)

See Training and Workforce section for recruitment funding support

Reports