Community Investment Initiative for Northern Ontario (CIINO)

FedNor’s investment through the Community Investment Initiative for Northern Ontario will enable recipient municipalities and Indigenous (First Nation/Métis/Inuit) communities to increase the number of community and/or regional economic development initiatives implemented leading to increased business investment and job creation, as well as regional collaboration and partnerships among communities.

On this page

• Expected Results
• Eligible Applicants
• Eligible Activities
• Eligible Costs
• Ineligible Costs
• Funding Conditions
• How to Apply

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Expected Results

Community Investment Initiative for Northern Ontario (CIINO) investments are anticipated to:

• Create jobs
• Increase the number of community and/or regional economic development initiatives implemented (e.g., waterfront development, downtown diversification, etc.) leading to investment attraction, economic growth and sector development, and/or innovation
• Increase regional collaboration and partnerships among communities

Eligible Applicants

• Rural municipalities/municipal organizations
• Indigenous (First Nation/Métis/Inuit) communities and organizations
• Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) on behalf of several communities

Applicants would need to meet the following criteria, stating that:

• They do not have a dedicated full-time economic development officer position.
• They have either an existing economic plan or strategy with a concrete economic opportunity requiring support to implement or an identified economic opportunity to capitalize on, develop and implement.
• They can demonstrate administrative capacity to undertake the project, including establishing work objectives and monitoring project outcomes.

Note: Regionally-based projects may include communities or First Nations with an economic development officer that do not have the capacity to lead a regional effort.

Eligible Activities

• An economic opportunity is one that supports investment attraction, economic growth and sector development, innovation and/or job creation.
• Implementation of economic opportunities identified in community and/or regional economic development plans that demonstrate strong achievable economic results.
• Activities that strengthen communities, First Nations and/or regional economic foundation.

Communities, First Nations and organizations with limited resources and assets will be encouraged to partner with neighbouring communities or First Nations to share resources and make linkages in order to maximize regional economic impact.

Eligible Costs

Eligible costs include all expenses directly related to the project and deemed reasonable and necessary for its execution.

• Salary and benefits; and
• Travel (related to meeting the eligible activities).

Applicants are expected to cover all associated administrative costs

Ineligible Costs

Costs for which the applicant has entered into a legal commitment/incurred prior to the eligibility date.

Funding Conditions

• FedNor will contribute up to 90% of eligible costs to a maximum of $100,000 annually for a period of up to three years.
• A regional project may be eligible for increased funding up to $170,000 depending on the number of partner communities and geographic coverage.
• Contributions will be non-repayable.

Completing an application does not guarantee funding approval. All applications will be assessed as they are received. This will include a review of the business case and financial projections, the applicant’s past results, and the identification of any issues that may impact the project’s success. Approval may also depend on funding availability.

How to Apply

Please call 1-877-333-6673 to discuss your proposal with a FedNor Officer in your area or begin your application process.

FedNor is committed to providing effective, efficient and client-focused programs and services. Visit our service commitment to find out more.