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Greater Sudbury’s Economic Development team is dedicated to ensuring the success of your next venture. Contact us and we’ll work with you to find the support that your business needs. Our experienced team will help you determine which programs, grants and incentives you’re eligible for.
Funds are available if your next project leads to economic development that improves our community, creates new jobs, or involves starting a not-for-profit project or initiative. From film incentives to arts and culture grants, each program has its own set of criteria and some can be combined.
Through the City of Greater Sudbury and City Council, the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation administers the Community Economic Development Fund (C.E.D.). C.E.D. funding is limited to not-for-profit entities within the City of Greater Sudbury and the project must provide an economic benefit to the community and align with the Economic Development Strategic Plan, From the Ground Up.
Community Improvement Plans (CIP) are a sustainable development planning tool used to encourage the development, redevelopment and revitalization of targeted areas throughout the city. The City of Greater Sudbury offers financial incentives programs through the following CIPs:
- Downtown Community Improvement Plan
- Town Centre Community Improvement Plan
- Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan
- Brownfield Strategy and Community Improvement Plan
- Employment Land Community Improvement Plan
FedNor is the Government of Canada’s economic development organization for Northern Ontario. Through its programs and services, FedNor supports projects that lead to job creation and economic growth in the region. FedNor works with businesses and community partners to build a stronger Northern Ontario.
Explore FedNor’s programs here:
- Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI)
- Community Futures Program (CFP)
- Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF)
- Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP)
- Economic Development Initiative (EDI)
- Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES)
Established in 2005, the City of Greater Sudbury’s Arts and Culture Grant Program stimulates the growth and development of this important sector, increases its potential to attract and retain a talented and creative workforce and is an investment in the quality of life for all residents.
The program is administered by the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC) which has approved nearly $7.4 million in funding to over 120 local arts and culture organizations. This investment has led to the employment of more than 200 artists, the hosting of hundreds of festivals and an estimated overall return of $9.41 for every $1 spent!
Guidelines: Read the Arts and Culture Grant Program Guidelines for more information on the application and eligibility requirements, as they have changed for 2024.
Deadline: The deadline to submit 2023 reports and 2024 applications to the Arts & Culture Grant Program has changed from prior years:
Operating stream:
- opens Friday, November 17, 2023
- closes 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2024
Project stream (Round 1)
- opens Wednesday, December 6, 2023
- closes 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, 2024
Project stream (Round 2):
- opens Thursday, March 28, 2024
- closes EXTENDED DEADLINE TBD
Create an account to begin your application using the online grant portal. Applicants are encouraged to discuss new applications with staff before submitting.
New for 2024! CADAC (Canadian Arts Data / Données sur les arts au Canada) launched a NEW online system in 2022, you will be redirected to this system to complete the data reporting for 2024.
Juror Recruitment
Citizens Invited to Apply for Appointment to Arts and Culture Grant Juries.
All letters should clearly indicate your reasons for wishing to serve on the jury, your résumé, and a list of all direct affiliations with local arts and culture initiatives, emailed to [email protected]. Nominations are accepted throughout the year. The GSDC Board reviews jury nominations on an annual basis prior to the upcoming year (2024).
Past Recipients to the Arts & Culture Grant Program
Congratulations to past funding recipients!
More information on the recipients and funding allocations is available below:
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) offers incentive programs and financial assistance to projects that stabilize and foster economic growth and diversification in Northern Ontario.
Visit the Regional Business Centre and browse their Funding Handbook, which details financing options and resources that can help you start or grow your business in our community. Whether your goal is a startup and expansion, or you’re ready for research and development, there’s a program for your unique business.
The Regional Business Centre also offers its own grant programming for entrepreneurs:
The Starter Company Plus Program provides mentoring, training and the opportunity of a grant for individuals 18 years of age and above to start, grow or buy a small business. Applications open in the Fall of each year.
Summer Company, provides students between the ages of 15 to 29 and who are returning to school in September the opportunity to receive a grant of up to $3000 to develop and run their very own business this summer. Successful applicants of the Summer Company Program will be paired with a Regional Business Centre mentor and receive one-on-one business training, support, and advice.
ShopHERE powered by Google is offering local businesses and artists the opportunity to have their online stores built for free.
The program is now available to small businesses in Greater Sudbury. Local businesses and artists can apply for the program through Digital Main Street ShopHERE to get their online stores built at no cost.
ShopHERE powered by Google, which started in the City of Toronto, helps independent businesses and artists build a digital presence and minimize the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Because the opportunities afforded by the digital economy are still limited if business owners and artists don’t have the right skills, Google’s investment will also help more of these entrepreneurs receive the digital skills training they need to participate in the digital economy.
The Sudbury Catalyst Fund is a $5 million venture capital fund that will help entrepreneurs scale-up their business ventures in Greater Sudbury. The Fund will provide investments of up to $250,000 to qualifying early-stage and innovative firms operating within Greater Sudbury. Once complete, this five-year pilot project is expected to help up to 20 start-up companies expand, allowing them to develop and commercialize new products and technologies, while creating up to 60 full-time high-quality local jobs.
This fund will make equity investments to:
- Produce a financial return;
- Create local jobs; and,
- Strengthen the local entrepreneurial ecosystem
The Fund has been created with a $3.3 million investment by FedNor as well as $1 million from the GSDC and $1 million from Nickel Basin.
The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) is supported through funds collected annually by the City of Greater Sudbury’s Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT).
The Tourism Development Fund was established by the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC) for the purposes of promoting and growing the tourism industry in Greater Sudbury. The TDF direct funds for tourism marketing and product development opportunities and is managed by the GSDC’s Tourism Development Committee.
It is recognized that in these unprecedented times there is a need to identify new opportunities to support the tourism industry. The aftermath of COVID-19 will frame a new normal. This program can be used to help support creative / innovative projects in the short to long term. With this in mind, during this pause the sector is encouraged to think about new opportunities to increase tourism in Greater Sudbury when people are able to travel again.
The Tourism Event Support program was established to assist event organizers staging events across the city, recognizing the importance of events to this city. Support for events can be either direct (cash contribution or sponsorship) or indirect (staff time, promotional material, meeting rooms, and other assistance), and is provided to eligible organizations who demonstrate the value of their event to the city in terms of potential economic impact, profile, size and scope of the event.
To apply for Tourism Event Support – please complete and submit the Tourism Event Support
A number of grant programs are made available to Northern Ontario small and medium-size businesses through various partner agencies. These include marketing assistance grants for eligible companies being made through the Northern Ontario Exports Program and the Industrial Trade Benefits Program, both launching Spring 2020 and delivered by Ontario’s North Economic Development Corporation.
Please visit export programs to find out more about funding and programs to support your export development. Mining Supply and Services companies are also encouraged to visit for specific program opportunities designed to help you compete on the global stage.