Category: BR+E
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Clarifying Your Project Concept: First Step before Writing an Effective Funding Proposal
You have an idea for a project, but what is your first step? Start by mapping out your thoughts so you can express your idea clearly. When you can articulate what you want to do, why it’s important, and how you will do it, you have created a base for crafting an effective project proposal.…
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Strategic Planning for Your Organization – Webinar Series
A Free Webinar Training Series For Not-for-Profit Organizations begins February 25, 2026! This free train-the-trainer webinar series is designed for organizations to gain valuable skills and tools to facilitate their own strategic planning. Based on the Ministry of Rural Affairs’ Strategic Planning Resource manual, this step-by-step interactive webinar series will help organizations improve their effectiveness,…
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Moving to Action: Recent BR+E Findings from Rural Ontario
Ontario’s Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) program is an impactful collaboration between government, community leaders and local businesses – working together to spark growth, keep jobs and strengthen the local economy. Recent BR+E projects in Southgate, Pembroke and Scugog have uncovered valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing rural businesses. These initiatives reflect a…
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Webinar: Turning Data Insights into Planning Action – December 16, 2025
Improve your community impact by joining us for an insightful webinar designed to empower organizations and municipalities to harness data effectively for strategic, operational and sector plan development. What you will learn: Who should attend: Anyone interested in using data to inform community economic and workforce development Registration: This FREE webinar is offered by the…
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Meet Laurie Caouette: Helping Rural Ontario Communities Thrive
MRA’s Newest Economic and Development Advisor At the Ministry of Rural Affairs (MRA), our Economic and Business Advisors play an important role in supporting the growth and resilience of Ontario’s rural communities. We are excited to introduce Laurie Caouette, who recently joined MRA as the Economic and Business Advisor for eastern Ontario. Laurie supports communities…
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Join the 17th Annual Municipal Agriculture Economic Development and Planning Forum in Collingwood
October 22–23, 2025 Join us for the 17th Annual Municipal Agriculture Economic Development & Planning Forum (MAEDPF), themed “Cultivating Common Ground.” Co-hosted by the Ministry of Rural Affairs and the County of Simcoe, this two-day forum will be held at the Georgian Bay Hotel & Conference Centre in Collingwood. “The County of Simcoe is excited…
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Welcoming Communities: Supporting the People Behind the Harvest
Importance of International Agricultural Workers in Ontario Each year, approximately 45,000 International Agricultural Workers (IAWs) arrive in Ontario, accounting for 28 per cent of Ontario’s primary agriculture workforce. Beyond their work in the fields, every IAW supports one to two local jobs up the supply chain (transportation, marketing etc.). They also contribute directly to local…
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Insights from the 2024 BR+E Provincial Roll-up
This is the Ontario government’s BR+E program results based on the 2024 survey.
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Join our Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program Info Sessions & Learn How to Apply
The new Rural Ontario Development (ROD) program is accepting applications until September 24, 2025! This is a $20 million investment over the next two years. Information webinars: Learn how to get funding to help boost growth in your rural community and create strong businesses by joining the Ministry of Rural Affairs for a live info…
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Join Us for the Teeny Tiny Summit in Strathroy-Caradoc!
Join us for a full day of local economic development learning and networking at the Teeny Tiny Summit in Strathroy-Caradoc located in southwestern Ontario. The event will be held the Caradoc Community Centre on June 18, 2025 starting at 8:30 AM and concluding at 4:00 PM. What is the Teeny Tiny Summit? Teeny Tiny Summits…