Skip to Content
About UsMediaNewsContact Us

Invest WindsorEssex Logo Invest WindsorEssex Logo

Contact Us
  • Why WindsorEssex
    • Available Land and Buildings
    • Communities
    • Construction and Development
    • Cost of Doing Business and Utilities
    • Data and Reports
    • Education and Training
    • Incentives and Foreign Trade Programs
    • Labour and Workforce
    • Location and Proximity to Markets
    • Quality of Life
    • Recognition and Awards
    • Top Employers
    • The Future is Windsor-Essex
  • How We Help
    • Automobility and Innovation
    • Business Advice and Support
    • Business Expansion and Networking
    • Conferences and Tradeshows
    • COVID Economic Response
    • Incentives and Foreign Trade Programs
    • Small Business and Entrepreneurship
    • Women Entrepreneurship Strategy
  • Site Selection and Data
    • Available Land and Buildings
    • Key Sector Database
    • Data and Reports
    • Doing Business in Canada
    • Foreign Trade Zone Programs
    • Location and Proximity to Markets
    • Location Incentives
    • Moving Here
    • Site Selector Tool
  • Industries
    • Advanced Manufacturing
    • Agriculture and Agri-Tech
    • Key Sector Database
    • Connected and Autonomous Vehicles
    • Information and Communications Technologies
    • Life Sciences
    • Professional Services and Back-Office Operations
    • Transportation and Logistics
    • Zero Emission and Clean Tech
  • About Us
    • Accessibility
    • Board of Directors
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Departments
    • Events Calendar
    • Media
    • Privacy Policy
    • Recognition and Awards
    • Staff Listing
    • Strategic Plan
Highway systems

Location Incentives

HomeSite Selection and DataLocation Incentives
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

There are a variety of funding opportunities and incentives available for foreign direct investments from the municipal, provincial and federal governments, as well as economic development organizations, when making investments in the Windsor-Essex region.

View our comprehensive list of employer support programs, further provincial government grants, loans and funds, or some of the more commonly accessed programs below.

Investment supports

Explore the following investment support opportunities:

  • Community Futures Essex County - This community-based, not-for-profit organization encourages entrepreneurship and economic opportunities. They provide business services and access to capital, particularly in rural areas.
  • Investment Ready: Certified Site Designation - Successful recipients of this industrial property designation can receive funding support, marketing and investment attraction support. These properties are also especially attractive to investors and site selectors for their investment readiness.
  • Investment Support Program - This City of Windsor program guides strategic investment projects through municipal approvals and requirements. It includes stakeholders from various municipal departments and external organizations to ensure timely and customer focused service.

Community Improvement Plans

Many of the municipalities and towns in the Windsor-Essex region have Community Improvement Plan (CIP) incentives to help attract investment opportunities within their jurisdiction. View the available programs:

  • City of Windsor
  • Municipality of Leamington
  • Town of Essex
  • Municipality of Lakeshore
  • Town of Tecumseh

Research and innovation support

The following research and innovation supports are available to businesses located in Windsor-Essex.

National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program

The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) provides innovation assistance to small- and medium-sized businesses through financial help, advisory services and connections to the best business, and research and development expertise in Canada.

Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario provides funding to bridge private sector investment in start-up businesses, women entrepreneurship strategies, business scale-up and productivity, regional innovation ecosystems and diversification.

Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program

The Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program provides a tax incentive for companies to achieve technological advancement to create new materials, devices, products or processes.

Ontario Innovation Tax Credit

The Ontario Innovation Tax Credit provides qualifying corporations with a refundable tax credit for certain expenditures on scientific research and experimental development performed in Ontario.

Apprenticeship, training and job creation

Check out the following apprentice, training and job creation incentives.

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund

The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund is available to business of all sizes and sectors based in Southwestern Ontario that are expanding operations, improving productivity and becoming more globally competitive. Funding supports help create jobs and build talent and may provide a 15 per cent grant for job creation and investment, with a minimum of $500,000 investment and a minimum of 10 jobs created.

Loans of up to 15 per cent funding to a maximum of $5 million, interest free during the project period (up to 4 years). Grants are available only for specific circumstances, up to 15 per cent to a maximum of $1.5 million is available per project.

Ontario Job Grant

Through, Ontario Job Grant you can receive 1/6th of eligible training costs (to a max of $10,000 per person) to train new or existing employees in Ontario.

Ontario Works

Ontario Works has an employer partnership with Invest WindsorEssex that provides funding for:

  • Pre-employment and on-the-job training
  • Employment related expenses
  • Job matching with the employer

Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit

With the Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit, qualifying businesses can claim 25 per cent of eligible expenditures (30 per cent for small businesses) made during the first 36 months of an apprenticeship program that commenced on or after April 24, 2015, and before November 15, 2017.

Rent subsidies

You may qualify for a rent subsidy to help cover overhead business costs. The Business Incentive Program, offered by the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association (DWBIA), utilizes rent subsidy to fill previously unoccupied ground floor buildings with new businesses.

Agri-food industry support

If you work in the agri-food industry the Canadian Agricultural Partnership offers funding for:

  • Innovation initiatives in the industry
  • Meat processor capacity improvements
  • COVID-19 health and safety issues
  • E-business
  • Labour supply and training challenges
  • Food safety
  • Market access initiatives
Site Selection and Data
    • Available Land and Buildings
    • Key Sector Database
    • Data and Reports
      Toggle Section Data and Reports Menu
      • Annual Reports
      • Cost of Doing Business and Utilities
      • Education and Training
      • Quarterly Reports
      • Strategic Plan
      • Top Employers
    • Doing Business in Canada
    • Foreign Trade Zone Programs
    • Location and Proximity to Markets
    • Location Incentives
    • Moving Here
    • Site Selector Tool

Let's Talk

Invest WindsorEssex footer logo

Main Office:

119 Chatham St. W, Unit 100
Windsor, ON N9A 5M7

Phone: 519.255.9200
Toll Free: 1.888.255.9332
Fax: 519.255.9987
Contact Us

AccessibilitySitemapWebsite FeedbackContact UsPrivacy Policy
Follow Us: View our Facebook Page View our Twitter Page View our YouTube Page View our LinkedIn Page View our Instagram Page

© Copyright 2022 Invest WindsorEssex

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.