Rural Ontario

Rural Ontario is much more than just a pretty place.

It is home to more than four million people. That's one quarter of the whole rural and small town population in Canada.

Rural Ontario is also home to agriculture, forestry, mining and manufacturing. These sectors contribute greatly to our quality of life.

Building stronger communities

Strong rural communities are the key to a strong, healthy province. To make sure that all Ontarians enjoy the same opportunities and quality of life, whether they live in a small town or a big city, we developed Ontario's Rural Plan.

• Ontario Rural Plan Update 2007
• Ontario Rural Plan Update 2006
• Facts & Research

All the tools you need

We know that rural communities sometimes don't have all the tools they need. That's why we have developed programs and resources for Rural Ontario. These help rural communities and businesses learn how to take advantage of new opportunities. We also have regional teams in place to help you use them.

• Beyond the City Lights Rural Tourism Conferences
• Business Retention and Expansion
  
• First Impressions Community Exchange
  
• Downtown Revitalization
• Rural Economic Development Data & Intelligence (REDDI)
• Rural Developments Contacts
  
  

We'll even help you cover the costs

Building strong communities costs money. We know that. That's why we have cost-shared programs. These fund infrastructure improvements, skills training, better access to health care and building new businesses.

The Ontario government believes that we work better when we work together.

• Building Canada Fund - Communities Component (BCF-CC)
• Ontario Market Investment Fund
• Rural Connections Broadband Program
• Ontario Biogas Systems - Financial Assistance Program
• Ontario Small Waterworks Assistance Program (OSWAP)
• Special Beekeepers Fund in Ontario Program
• Rural Economic Development (RED) Program
• Canada Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF)
• Rural Summer Jobs Service Program

For more information:
Toll Free: 1-888-588-4111
Fax:1-519-826-4336
E-mail: rural.omafra@ontario.ca