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Ontario Supporting Economic Growth in Rural Communities

New rural economic development program part of new strategy to boost economic opportunities and create jobs

January 22, 2025 – For Immediate Release

Simcoe-Grey – Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey announced that the Ontario government has released a new Rural Economic Development Strategy with $10 million in annual funding for the next two years, to support economic growth, workforce capacity and business development in rural communities.

“The Rural Economic Development Strategy is our plan to help rural and Indigenous communities realize their potential and support the economic prosperity of communities across Ontario,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs. “It’s based on our government’s belief that a strong and dynamic rural Ontario is essential for the success of the province’s economy.”

The Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy focuses on three key areas:

  • Safe and Strong Rural Communities – Improving local economic development capacity and championing local leadership, supporting the rehabilitation of municipal and community infrastructure, optimizing rural connectivity, and supporting communities in developing plans for housing and transportation to ensure rural communities are places where people want to live, work and play.
  • Business Development and Attraction – Supporting rural communities and other economic development partners in strengthening and growing rural business, encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation, attracting investment, revitalizing downtowns and diversifying regional economies. 
  • Growing the Rural Workforce – Helping grow local talent, raising awareness of job opportunities available in rural Ontario, supporting workers in obtaining the skills needed to succeed, and attracting and retaining workers so that rural communities and small towns thrive.

Minister Thompson’s announcement of a new Rural Economic Development Strategy is a key pillar in the government’s plan to help rural communities address the challenges they are facing and take advantage of new opportunities. As part of this strategy, the government has revamped the previous Rural Economic Development Program, now called the Rural Ontario Development Program, and is doubling its funding to $20 million over the next two years. More details on the enhanced program will be available in the coming weeks.

“Rural communities and businesses are the backbone of our riding,” said Simcoe-Grey MPP Brian Saunderson. “For generations, families have worked their farms and their businesses as a critical part of our local economy. This investment will enhance and strengthen that proud legacy in Simcoe-Grey.”

QUICK FACTS:

  • To help inform the creation of the new Rural Economic Development Strategy, our government conducted a thorough consultation process with partners from rural municipalities, not-for-profit entities, and Northern and Indigenous communities. The government held 13 regional roundtables to hear the thoughts, experiences, and ideas of those living and working in rural Ontario and received many online submissions through our website.
  • Rural Ontario is a significant contributor to the vitality and resilience of the province’s economic and social fabric while also being crucial to the province’s overall prosperity.
  • With 2.5 million people and counting, rural communities produce an estimated $113 billion – 13 per cent – of Ontario’s GDP and employ over 1.2 million Ontarians, representing 15 per cent of the province’s jobs.
  • Boosting the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) by $100 million over two years is helping ensure small, northern, and rural municipalities have the resources they need to thrive.

To learn more about the new ‘Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy’, visit: Ontario.ca