Rural Enhancement Funding Stream

The Rural Enhancement Funding Stream is designed to support priorities of rural communities to contribute to healthy and strong communities.

Who is Eligible?

Rural municipalities, Indigenous communities, not-for-profit organizations and Local Services Boards having or serving a population of less than 30,000.

What Projects are Eligible?

Incremental improvements, repairs, and/or renovations to improve and extend the useful life of capital assets including; social and recreational facilities, municipal assets and community halls, that contribute to a healthy and vibrant community.

The NOHFC Board of Directors may consider exceptions to these eligibility criteria for projects that address a priority need in Northern Ontario.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Identification and alignment with a planning process such as community or organizational plan
• How the project builds on and optimizes the capacity and efficiency of existing infrastructure
• Strength of project plan that identifies the technical, managerial and financial capacity for implementing the project and sustaining the facility
• Applicant should demonstrate how an NOHFC investment is necessary to make the project viable

Funding

• Funding is in the form of a conditional contribution, and will not exceed:
  • For communities under 1,500 and Indigenous communities, up to 90% of total eligible costs to a maximum of $200,000;
  • For communities over 1,500, up to 75% of total eligible costs to a maximum of $500,000.
• The amount of funding for each project is determined by the NOHFC Board of Directors, and limited funding is available. Not all projects meeting the criteria will necessarily receive funding.
• NOHFC may decline funding where support for a project is considered to fall within the mandate of another federal or provincial government program, except that NOHFC may provide additional assistance to a project once a decision is made under such other program, at NOHFC’s sole discretion.

What is Not Eligible?

• Core infrastructure such as municipal public services including roads, bridges, water, and sewer
• Administrative space or office buildings
• Residential projects
• Operating expenses, including routine and on-going maintenance
• Rolling stock
• Stand-alone equipment purchases
• Stand-alone furniture purchases
• Stand-alone studies (feasibility, engineering, strategy etc.)

Program Requirements

• All buildings, facilities or land improved with NOHFC funding must be owned by the applicant.
• The applicant may be required to reimburse NOHFC if assets financed by NOHFC are sold within the first three years after project completion.

FAQ