Rural Economic Development (RED) Program

Rural Economic Development (RED)

The Rural Economic Development (RED) program assists with the costs of projects that use the power of partnership to create change. Why? Because we know that people work better when they work together. The partners might be individuals, businesses, organizations, or municipal governments. They share a common goal: to breathe new life into rural communities, make more opportunities to develop skills, and improve access to health care. 

Two examples of RED projects

1. Building skills in the Peterborough area

Here community partners are working to keep existing jobs in the manufacturing sector and create new ones. With the support of the Ontario government, they provide better training for workers, access to experts, and an internship program for youth. They are also making local residents more aware of career opportunities in the sector.

2. Improving access to doctors in Huron East/Seaforth

Here we are working with the community leaders in Huron East/Seaforth to launch the Skills for Healthcare Attraction and Retention Pilot program. Known locally as Health Kick Huron, the project is aimed at attracting new health-care professionals to this medically under-serviced Lake Huron community. The Ontario government hopes the strategies developed in the project can be used by other communities.

How does my community apply to RED?

Download the Program Guidelines and Grant Application Form and fill out the forms.

Other projects considered necessary to further an economic goal or improve the quality of life in rural Ontario may be reviewed by the RED Project Review Panel on a case-by-case basis.

Why is RED so important to rural Ontario?

Teamwork has always been the key to success in rural Ontario. Yesterday's barn-raisings and threshing bees are today's community-building partnerships. RED plays a major role in supporting these efforts.

Together, we will build an Ontario that is the envy of the world. Our quality of life will be second to none.