Thunder Bay is included in rural development program.

Thunder Bay has become eligible for the Rural Ontario Development Program after the province updated its rural definition to include a census subdivision in northern Ontario, allowing local municipalities, businesses and organizations to apply for provincial funding.

Thunder Bay is now eligible to apply to the Rural Ontario Development Program. Local officials lobbied the province to change how "rural" is defined so northern communities with urban designations can access supports. The change was announced by the Thunder Bay Economic Development Commission and noted by city and business leaders. The update aims to address challenges such as low population density, limited services and transportation barriers that affect the region. Key facts: - The province added "a census subdivision located in northern Ontario" to its definition of rural, which made Thunder Bay eligible for the program. - Eligible applicants include the municipality, small businesses with up to 20 employees, non-profit and Indigenous organizations, and local services boards. - The program has three main funding streams: economic diversification, workforce development, and community infrastructure enhancements. - Economic diversification offers 50% cost-sharing to a maximum of $200,000, with up to $10,000 available for community event projects. - Workforce development projects can access up to $150,000, and community infrastructure enhancements offer up to 35% cost-sharing with project size ranges from small (up to $25,000) to large ($25,000 to $250,000). Summary: The provincial definition change recognizes northern Ontario’s geographic and service realities and opens ROD Program funding to Thunder Bay organizations and businesses. Details about application timelines and next procedural steps were not included in the announcement. Undetermined at this time.