The Eastern Ontario Development Program

The Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) is a multi-million dollar Government of Canada initiative that will promote rural socioeconomic development in Eastern Ontario, lead to a more competitive and diversified regional economy, and contribute to the successful development of businesses, job opportunities and sustainable, self-reliant communities. The program will support business development, skills development, retention and attraction of youth, and access to capital.

Applications will be assessed by the 1000 Islands CDC on a first come first considered basis until all funds have been committed. Applications received by the first Thursday of the month will be reviewed within that month. You are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Business Development

The Community Capacity Building Program objective is to strengthen Eastern Ontario communities by supporting economic development projects that are incremental, address local needs and priorities and result in long term benefits including job creation, economic diversification, and enhanced business competitiveness. Projects must demonstrate significant impact on the enhancement of the local business community and/or the community as a whole. Applicants must demonstrate evidence of support from partners in the private sector, community organizations, municipalities, and/or the provincial government. Municipal governments, not-for-profit organizations and First Nation organizations located in and conducting activities in Elizabethtown-Kitley, Brockville, Athens, Front of Yonge, Leeds & The 1000 Islands, and/or Gananoque are eligible to apply to 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation (TICDC). TICDC may contribute up to 100% of eligible project costs, however, partnerships and projects with leveraged funds, whether in kind or cash, will be given priority. Applicants seeking a TICDC contribution of $10,000 or less are to submit an application for the Local Initiatives Program.

• Community Capacity Building Program Application Form (PDF)
• Community Capacity Building Program Application Form (Word)

The Local Initiatives Program objective is to support incremental, local economic development projects throughout our service area. Municipal governments, not-for-profit organizations and First Nation organizations located in Elizabethtown-Kitley, Brockville, Athens, Front of Yonge, Leeds & The 1000 Islands, and/or Gananoque are eligible to apply. TICDC may contribute up to 100% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $10,000, however, partnerships and projects with leveraged funds, whether in kind or cash, will be given priority.

• Local Initiatives Program Application Form (PDF)
• Local Initiatives Program Application Form (Word)

The Business Planning Initiatives Program objective is to support new and existing entrepreneurs with financial assistance for the development of sound business plans and/or opportunistic export and marketing plans for the purposes of advancing their business initiatives forward. Private sector businesses – existing or start-up – located in and conducting business activity in Elizabethtown-Kitley, Brockville, Athens, Front of Yonge, Leeds & The 1000 Islands, and/or Gananoque are eligible to apply. To be eligible, the project activity must be incremental activity. TICDC may contribute up to 50% of business plan development costs up to a maximum of $5,000.

• Business Planning Initiatives Program Application Form (PDF)
• Business Planning Initiatives Program Application Form (Word)

Skills Development

The Skills Development Program objective is to encourage and assist private sector businesses in training of employees to enhance the skill sets of employees, to provide transferable skills to employees and to contribute to the overall strength of the workforce capabilities of the community. Private sector businesses located in and conducting business activity in Elizabethtown-Kitley, Brockville, Athens, Front of Yonge, Leeds & The 1000 Islands, and/or Gananoque are eligible to apply. Proposed trainees must be new hires or existing employees. Summer students, temporary and part time employees working less than 20 hours per week are not eligible. TICDC may contribute up to 50% of the skills development project costs up to a maximum of $5,000 per employee and up to a maximum of $25,000 per business applicant.

• Skills Development Program Application Form (PDF)
• Skills Development Program Application Form (Word)

Youth Retention & Attraction

The Youth Internship (Not-for-Profit) Program objective is to provide Eastern Ontario post-secondary school graduates under the age of 30 years, with opportunities to develop valuable skills during full-time work experiences in the fields of business development and economic development. Ideally, these work experiences would lead to permanent, full-time employment within Eastern Ontario. Not-for-profit organizations located in and conducting activities in Elizabethtown-Kitley, Brockville, Athens, Front of Yonge, Leeds & The 1000 Islands, and/or Gananoque are eligible to apply. The project activity to be undertaken by the intern must be incremental. TICDC may contribute up to 100% of eligible costs to a maximum contribution of $30,000 per intern.

• Youth Internship (Not for Profit) Program Application Form (PDF)
• Youth Internship (Not for Profit) Program Application Form (Word)

Access to Capital Fund

The Community Retrofit Program broad objective is to assist and encourage the development of vacant or underutilized, industrial, commercial or retail properties leading to development and job creation/retention potential. Up to $10,000 in repayable, non-interest bearing loans, amortized over ten years, will be made available to qualifying businesses and commercial property owners in commercial districts in Elizabethtown-Kitley, Brockville, Athens, Front of Yonge, Leeds & The 1000 Islands, and/or Gananoque.

• Community Retrofit Program Application Guide (PDF)
• Community Retrofit Program Application Guide (Word)