SUPPORT FOR PURCHASING CLEAN PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Clean Technology Adoption Program (FACTAP) is offering funding of up to 75% to a maximum of $1 million towards adopting or adapting market-ready clean processes, technologies and/or sustainable practices which will improve the environmental performance of ongoing operations. Eligible applicants are Canadian businesses, indigenous organizations, or industry/professional groups involved in fish/seafood harvesting, aquaculture, or processing.

Project expenditures include consulting, engineering, equipment and other project-related costs incurred after receiving funding approval. Along with FACTAP project support, a minimum 10% contribution (either in cash or in-kind) must come from provincial/territorial governments. Applicants are required and must be able to support any project costs not covered by FACTAP and/or other government contributions. Funding from all government sources cannot exceed 90% of project costs. For the FYE March 31, 2018 applicants can receive a maximum of $750,000. Beginning April 1, 2018 maximum program funding will be $1 million. Applications will be accepted until funds are fully allocated.

PROGRAM OPENS IN FOURTEEN BUSINESS DAYS

Ontario’s Processor- Technology and Equipment to Improve Productivity program will contribute 35% up to $100,000 towards the purchase of advanced manufacturing technology that will improve labour productivity, input efficiency, or waste reduction. Eligible applicants are Ontario processors (including tobacco-based biopharmaceuticals or other bio-products, health or nutrition supplements and pet food product manufacturer) with 199 or fewer employees.  Funding can be requested for:

• the purchase, installation and configuration of technology (including software) that enhances manufacturing processes through automation, robotics or digitization
• the purchase of measurement, metering, monitoring and integration equipment for waste reduction management (for permanent systems intended to be left in place), as well as related software and reporting system costs
• Costs of development or translation of manufacturing policies, feedback systems, preventative maintenance procedures and standard operational procedures such as processing standards (time, temperature, speed, etc.), proactive preventative maintenance routines, and employee scheduling systems
• Project-related one-time costs for training key personnel on new technology (e.g., train the trainer), third-party advisory fees, and eligible technology or equipment rental.

Renovations, electrical and other utility or facility changes, upgrades or modifications, ancillary equipment (e.g., conveyors, boilers,) and ERP systems are not eligible.

Applications from Indigenous and Northern Ontario businesses are preferred plus can be for technology that is not advanced.

All applicants must submit a labour productivity, input and/or waste audit, assessment or plan that demonstrates the need and impact of the project in addressing current deficiencies, opportunities and risks, plus project-related baseline Key Performance Indicators, e.g., changes in labour productivity, energy usage, waste management.

Applications will be accepted beginning September 27, 2021.

Funding for Commercializing Agri-Food Technologies

Ontario’s Agri-Tech Innovation (Innovators) program is offering 60% non-repayable (a.k.a. grant) funding up to $750,000 towards collaborative projects that pilot or demonstrate technological innovations (e.g. robotics, artificial intelligence, IOT) which mitigates the risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission among agri-food workers while increasing food sector efficiency and productivity.

Project collaborators can include two or more agriculture sector private or public entities, associations, organizations, clusters, consortiums or academic/research institutions having an arm’s length relationship from each other as well as a vested interest in the project (i.e., contributing cash, resources, oversight, and/or expertise). Retail food services, as well as agri-food packaging material manufacturers, warehousers and distributors may be collaborators but not the lead entity. Entities located outside the province can also apply if their agri-food supply value-chain is primarily located in Ontario plus their project predominantly benefits Ontario’s agricultural and/or agri-food sectors.

Along with mitigating labour-intensive work practices and processes (often associated with high-risk COVID transmission among agri-food workers), proposed project technological innovations must result in one or more of the following:

• Allow business to focus on redeployment of workers to higher value-added activities
• Reduce sector pressure of ongoing labour shortage
• Attract higher skilled labour to sector businesses
• Increase productivity

Eligible technological innovation must have a 7-8 Technology Readiness Level (i.e., involves the piloting and/or demonstrating in a real-world operational setting with the intention of bringing the solution to market pending outcome). Moreover, the technological innovation should:

• Be currently unavailable in the Ontario agri-food marketplace
• Entail the significant modifications to existing technologies/components/processes for new sector application.

• Improve the functionality, expansion of application, cost or performance over an existing technology/process currently considered state-of-the-art or sector best practice.

Attestation of technological innovation must be confirmed by credible independent industry or academic sources that confirm the innovation of the project. The deadline for submissions is 23:59 (EDT) Monday September 27, 2021.

Funding For Profiting in a Green Economy

Canada’s Jobs and Growth Fund is offering businesses interest-free, non-collateral loans to a maximum of $10 million to fund up to 50% of the following activities:

• Transitioning to a green economy, including the development, adoption and production of clean technologies and products.
• Businesses owned or led by underrepresented groups, e.g., indigenous peoples, members of racialized communities, women, youth, LGBTQ2, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, and members of official language minority communities
• Preserving competitiveness and viability of Canadian small businesses through
  • the development or adoption of digital and technological solutions (i.e., Industry 4.0 solutions) towards increasing productivity.
  • investment in technologies for scaling up, enhancing capabilities and increasing resilience
• Strengthening capacity in sectors critical to Canada’s recovery and growth (e.g., processors, medical supplies and biomanufacturing) by investing in:
  • scale-up and market expansion initiatives to strengthen and/or develop competitive advantage in traditional or emerging global opportunities
  • supply chain adaptation and diversification opportunities.

Activity-specific cost may occur over 3 years with repayment of funds beginning one year after completion. And to be paid in full up to 4 years thereafter. Eligible expenses include:

• Technology/Equipment purchases and installations (including software)
• Expertise, e.g. fees paid to professional, technical personnel, consultants, engineers or contractors.
• Facility construction and renovations as well as site and leasehold improvements.
• Labour when not economically feasible to contract such work.
• Other direct project costs

Applicants can request support for activity-related expenses incurred beginning April 19, 2021; however, there is no guarantee of funding.

Not-for-profit organizations and community economic development partners can receive up to 90% and indigenous businesses/organizations up to 100% in non-repayable funding for the above-mentioned eligible activities.

DEADLINE IN TWENTY-FOUR DAYS

The Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) advertises 15% up to $5 million in grants and four-year interest-free loans towards investments that create jobs and lead to economic growth. Eligible expenditures include equipment, consulting services, facility retrofits and expansions, as well as employee training and other project-related costs. Projects must be between 3 and 4 years in length to be undertaken by businesses located or plan to be in one of the following Eastern Ontario counties: Frontenac, Halliburton, Hastings, Kawartha Lakes, Lanark, Leeds, Grenville, Lennox, Addington, Muskoka, Northumberland, Ottawa, Peterborough, Prescott, Russell, Prince Edward, Renfrew, Stormont, Dundas or Glengarry. Applicants are required to have 3 years of financial statements and represent one of the following sectors: manufacturing, processing, information or communication technology, life sciences, tourism, or the cultural industry.

Applicants in rural communities with populations less than 100,000 can receive the first 15% funding up to $500,000 as a grant, are required to make an investment of no less than $200,000 and create 5 jobs. Applicants in communities with populations more than 100,000 are required to invest $500,000 and create 10 jobs to be eligible for a 15% interest-free loans of up to $5 million, of which, 30% to a maximum of $500,000 is forgivable if the applicant achieves job creation and investment targets.

Strategic new investments to Ontario (companies without a presence in Ontario), or companies whose investment plans (including new mandates, expansion or re-shoring/relocation) are subject to significant risk due to incentives offered from other jurisdictions, are eligible to receive 15% up to $1.5 million as a grant. Next deadline is September 9, 2021 for projects starting December 8, 2021.

BUSINESSES HAVE LESS THAN 4 WEEKS TO APPLY

The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) advertises 15% up to $5 million in grants and four-year interest-free loans towards investments that create jobs and lead to economic growth. Eligible expenditures include equipment, consulting services, facility retrofits and expansions, as well as employee training and other project-related costs incurred over 3 to 4 years. Only expenses incurred after receiving approval (i.e., June 2, 2021) will be eligible for reimbursement.

Businesses are required to have 3 years of financial statements and be (or plan to be) located in one of the following Southwestern Ontario counties: (Brant, Bruce, Chatham-Kent, Dufferin, Elgin, Essex, Grey, Haldimand, Huron, Lambton, Middlesex, Niagara, Norfolk, Oxford, Perth, Simcoe, Waterloo, and Wellington). Applicants in rural communities (populations under 100,000) must have at least 5 employees and may receive up to $500,000 as a grant. Rural businesses are required to make investments of no less than $200,000. Applicants in communities with populations over 100,000 may receive 15% up to $5 million as an interest-free loan. These businesses must have 10 or more employees and plan to invest at least $500,000. Up to 30% of the loan is forgivable to a maximum of $500,000 if the applicant achieves its job creation and investment targets.

Strategic new investments to Ontario (companies without a presence in Ontario), or companies whose investment plans (including new mandates, expansion, or re-shoring/relocation) are subject to significant risk due to incentives offered from other jurisdictions, are eligible to receive 15% up to $1.5 million as a grant.

Businesses with 15 or more employees must create 5 jobs by project completion. Companies with fewer employees are required to increase their workforce by 30%. Only costs incurred after approval are eligible for funding.  There is also 50% grants funding up to $1.5 million for community economic development. Next application intake is September 9, 2021, for projects beginning December 8, 2021.