Investment – Locate Stream
Who is Eligible?
Businesses locating new business operations to Northern Ontario.
What Projects are Eligible?
Eligible projects, activities and associated costs include, but are not limited to:
- Capital construction
- Leasehold improvements
- New or used equipment including capital leases
- Land servicing costs
- Information & communications technology (ICT) investments
- Marketing for new products and business initiatives (limited to a maximum of 20% of all other eligible project costs, or $75,000, whichever is less)
- Training costs incurred with third parties (limited to a maximum of 20% of all other eligible project costs)
Evaluation Criteria
Factors that will be considered during evaluation of applications will include but not limited to:
- Job creation
- Level of investment from other sources to be secured by the applicant
- Strength of the applicant’s detailed business plan
- Does not unreasonably impact existing Northern Ontario businesses
- Net economic benefits for Northern Ontario
Other business activities that, in the opinion of the NOHFC Board of Directors, will result in an economic development advantage for Northern Ontario may be considered.
The NOHFC Board of Directors may consider exceptions to these eligibility criteria for projects that address a priority economic need in Northern Ontario.
Funding
- Funding is in the form of a conditional contribution or a combination of a conditional contribution and term loan, on a case-by-case basis based on net economic benefit to Northern Ontario, to a maximum of $5 million.
- Combined Federal and Provincial government funding may not exceed 50% of eligible project costs.
What is Not Eligible?
Ineligible projects, costs and activities include but are not limited to:
- Retail and consumer service businesses that primarily earn revenue by providing products and services directly to individuals
- Ongoing operating costs including maintenance
- In-kind contributions
- Restructuring or refinancing of existing business operations
- Accommodation & food service businesses and related business activities
- Businesses that are primarily involved in wholesale activities
- Business plans / strategic plans / feasibility studies etc.
- Assets acquired through operating leases
- Research and development
- Land purchase/lease
- Rolling stock (e.g. cars, trucks & boats and motors)
- Project management costs / consulting costs / administration costs
- Mineral exploration, mine development and milling operations
- Working capital
- Cost of inventory
- Cellular and internet service projects
- Capital projects or leasehold improvements to residential or personal properties
- Acquisitions and buy-outs of existing businesses
- Electricity generation projects
The NOHFC Board of Directors may consider exceptions to these eligibility criteria for projects that address a priority economic need in Northern Ontario.
Program Requirements
- The applicant is expected to secure balance of funding/financing necessary to implement the project.
What is the application process for NOHFC’s Invest North – Locate stream?
Following the outcome of the pre-application consultation, you will be required to submit an initial application online which is available by clicking here. Your application will be used to determine if your project is eligible under the program guidelines. If your project is eligible, you will be notified and asked to submit a detailed business proposal for your project.
Are beverage alcohol manufacturing companies, including spirit distilleries, breweries, wineries and cideries, eligible for support under NOHFC’s INVEST North Program – Launch, Grow or Locate Streams?
No, beverage alcohol manufacturing companies are not considered eligible under NOHFC’s INVEST North Program – Launch, Grow or Locate Streams. However, Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has a number of resources available on their website in support of beverage manufacturing in Ontario.
Can I access funding from other federal and provincial sources to finance the remainder of my project?
Yes. However, the combined federal and provincial government funding may not exceed 50% of eligible project costs.
How will I know how much funding and the type of funding I can apply for?
Funding options will be discussed during your consultation.
Are tourism businesses potentially eligible given that the Invest North – Location Stream guidelines reference accommodation services as ineligible?
Many tourism businesses that provide accommodation services are potentially eligible under the program. To clarify, these include tourism businesses that operate as a tourist destination for local, regional and international visitors for extended stays (e.g., remote outfitter, family vacation resort). Those business that only serve the overnight travelling public are considered ineligible (e.g. hotels and motels).
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