Local Initiative Fund

LOWBIC partners with FedNor/Industry Canada who provide funds to support local sponsors for small community economic development projects. LOWBIC receives up to $75,000 per year in funding from FedNor for the Local Initiatives (LI) Fund. These funds are earmarked for community economic development (CED) initiatives. The funding maximum per project is $5,000. Amounts over $5,000 are possible if approved by the FedNor manager. These funds are for non-profit groups only.

Eligible Activities:

Activities must support the priority components of the Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP) including Community Economic Development, Business Growth and Competitiveness and/or Innovation.

Eligible activites must demonstrate community economic development objectives and create short to medium term, measurable results for the communities and businesses of the region.

Eligible Projects:

Specific eligible projects, under each NODP priority component, may include:

Community Economic Development:

• environmental assessment reports
• strategic and business planning
• sector or industry analysis
• feasibility, marketing and engineering studies
• economic recovery plans
• workforce attraction and retention strategies
• community investment readiness plans
• inventories of community assets and community profiles
• the implementation of priority initiatives identified in community or regional economic development plans that demonstrate economic results

Business Growth and Competitiveness:

• business management capacity projects, including planning, training, research and access to business management expertise and export readiness
• activities that lead to increased trade expansion, including export development and investment attraction
• seminars/workshops
• marketing/promotional activites
• community tourism events

Innovation:

• activities that promote innovation and new technology

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Download Local Initiatives Application – Fillable Form>>>

• Fill out the required information       NOTE: Saving is disabled
• Print out a completed copy for your own records
• Mail, fax, or bring in your completed form to LOWBIC
• Alternative Option: Scan your completed document and email to rreynard@lowbic.on.ca