Equipment Grants: 64 Business Grants, Loans & More to Buy or Lease Equipment

There’s a ton of grants, loans, and other programs available to buy or lease equipment (property, too). We cover the best in this comprehensive guide to equipment grants for Ontario businesses.

Let’s jump in!

What Can Equipment Grants Be Used For?

Equipment (or property) business grants can be used to pay for many aspects of starting or running a business. Here are some of the uses that are covered by programs in our grants database:

  • Purchasing new and/or automated equipment that will lead to productivity improvements and energy savings
  • Buying new business premises
  • Replacing end-of-life equipment or planning to buy new equipment for your business
  • Adopting innovative, high-performance equipment for your business
  • Developing or modifying the existing equipment of your business

And that’s just a sample! See the section below with a complete list of grants available to purchase or lease equipment or property.

How Much Grant Money Can I Get to Purchase/Lease Equipment (or Property) for My Business?

In our database we currently have grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000,000.

Am I Eligible for an Equipment Grant? Common Eligibility Criteria

Two of the most common questions we get asked at Ontario Business Grants are “Am I eligible?” and “How do I qualify?”.

We analyzed the equipment programs in our grants database, and these are the most common qualifications we identified:

  • Be for-profit businesses planning to purchase or lease equipment or property
  • Be companies using energy-efficient equipment
  • Be industrial or commercial businesses, registered and incorporated in Canada
  • Have the authority to enter into legal agreements

Note: these are just the most common eligibility criteria – there are many grants with different requirements.

Equipment Grants for Ontario Businesses: Current Grants Available

In the table below we list the equipment and property grants currently available to Ontario businesses.

To learn more about each program, just click the program name and you’ll be taken to a web page that provides detailed information on the program, including eligibility, the dollar amount of the program, and how to apply for the grant:

Equipment and Property (Purchase or Lease) Grants for Ontario Businesses

Name of ProgramAmountType
Rural Agri-Innovation Network - Responsive Advancement for Meat Processing Program$25000 Grant
Veterans Affairs Canada – Commemorative Partnership Program: Community War Memorial$50000Grant
Transport Canada – Rail Climate Change Adaptation Program$300000Grant
FedDev Ontario – Community Economic Development and Diversification Stream under Rural Growth and Innovation in Southern Ontario5000000Loan, Grant
Environment and Climate Change Canada – Output-Based Pricing System Proceeds Fund: Decarbonization Incentive Program$500000Grant
Enbridge Gas - Equipment Upgrades: Multi-Unit Residential In-Suite Fixed Incentive Program$50000Grant
Enbridge Gas - Equipment Upgrades: Affordable Multi-Family Housing Program$200000Grant, In-Kind Support
Enbridge Gas - Equipment Upgrades: Fixed Incentive Program: Air Curtain, Condensing Make-up Air, & Dock Door Seal$100000Grant
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Supply Management Processing Investment Fund$5000000Grant
Infrastructure Canada - Zero Emission Transit Fund: Planning Projects and Capital Projectsno fixed amountGrant, Loan
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) - INVEST North Program: Investment – Locate Stream $5000000 Grant, Loan
Innovation Initiatives Ontario North (IION) – Triple-P Program (2022)$10000Grant
IAPO Financing for Business Start Ups & Expansion Program (FNBSEP) (2022)$100000Grants & Loan
City of Kitchener – Startup Grant ProgramNo Fixed AmountGrant
Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP), Honey Bee Health Management (2022)$3500Grant
Government of Ontario, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry -Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program (FSIIP) – Collaboration Projects (2022)$3000000Grants
Government of Ontario, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program (FSIIP) – Business Projects (2022)No Fixed AmountGrant/Loan
Government of Ontario, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) – Grassroots Growth Program: Grassroots Growth Initiative (2022)No Fixed AmountGrant
Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre (NOIC) – Next Level Program (2022)$10000Grants
Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre (NOIC) (formerly NWOIC) – Kenora and Rainy River District Business Accelerator Fund$5000 Investment
Government of Ontario, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade – Regional Development Program: Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) Stream$ 5000000.00Grant / Loan
Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) – Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways (SREPs) Program$25000000Grant
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) - INVEST North Program: Investment - Launch Stream $200000 Grant
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) - INVEST North Program: Investment – Grow Stream $1000000 Grant, Loan

Other Types of Business Funding for Equipment and Property (Purchase or Lease)

Our goal is for this guide to be a complete source of funding information for businesses seeking to purchase or lease equipment or property. So, in this section you’ll find all the other money programs (besides grants) that are available to Ontario entrepreneurs for purchasing or leasing equipment or property:

Businesses Loans for Equipment and Property (Purchase or Lease)

  • Government Loans for Equipment and/or Property

A loan might not sound as good as a grant, but many equipment or property loans for businesses have a low interest rate. While they might not be free money, if you don’t qualify for a grant, a low-interest loan is probably the next best thing.

The programs below include government loans loans and loan guarantees (which are loans that are provided by commercial banks but guaranteed by the government):

Government Equipment or Property Loans for Businesses

Name of ProgramAmountType
Canada Small Business Financing Program (2023): Plain English CSBFP Guide for Entrepreneurs1000000Loan Guarantee
CDAP Boost Your Business Technology: Quick Guide for Entrepreneurs$100000Loan
Young Farmers Loan – Farm Credit Canada$1000000Loan
Land & Buildings – Farm Credit CanadaNo Fixed AmountLoan
Equipment – Farm Credit CanadaNo Fixed AmountLoan
FedDev Ontario – Community Economic Development and Diversification Stream under Rural Growth and Innovation in Southern Ontario5000000Loan, Grant
Nord-Aski Regional Economic Development Corporation (Nord-Aski REDC) - Small Business Loan Products$750000 Loan
Infrastructure Canada - Zero Emission Transit Fund: Planning Projects and Capital Projectsno fixed amountGrant, Loan
South Lake Futures and Georgina Association for Business - Larger Loans400000Loan
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) - INVEST North Program: Investment – Locate Stream $5000000 Grant, Loan
Grand Erie Business Centre - Express Loans $20000 Loan
Greenstone Economic Development Corporation - 3-Tier Lending Program $500000 Loan
Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario (IAPO) – First Nations Farm and Business Financing (2021) $20000 Loans
Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario (IAPO) – Business Financing (2022)No Fixed AmountLoan
IAPO Financing for Business Start Ups & Expansion Program (FNBSEP) (2022)$100000Grants & Loan
Community Futures Oxford – Sand Plains Community Development Fund (2021)$250000Loan
Community Futures Oxford – Micro Loan 15K (2021)$15000Loan
Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) in Ontario – Community Futures Program (CFP) (2022)No Fixed AmountLoan
Government of Ontario, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program (FSIIP) – Business Projects (2022)No Fixed AmountGrant/Loan
Wellington Waterloo Community Futures – Rural Women in Business Loans (2021)$250000Loan
Two Rivers Community Development Centre (TRCDC) – Express Financing (2022)$25000Loan
Two Rivers Community Development Centre (TRCDC) -General Loans (2022)$1150000Loan
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and FACE (Federation of African Canadian Economics) – Black Entrepreneurship Program – Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund$250000Loan
Targeted Manufacturing Initiative for Northern Ontario – Productivity Improvements (Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program REGI) – FedNorno fixed amountLoan
BDC Technology financingNo Fixed AmountLoan
BDC Start-up financing (2022)$ 250000.00Loan
BDC Small Business Loan$100000Loan
BDC Commercial real estate financing (2022)No Fixed AmountLoan
Government of Ontario, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade – Regional Development Program: Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) Stream$ 5000000.00Grant / Loan
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) - INVEST North Program: Investment – Grow Stream $1000000 Grant, Loan
  • Business Commercial Loans for Equipment or Property (purchase or lease)

If you’re not eligible for a government loan, you might consider one of the commercial loans available for equipment or property (purchase or lease) entrepreneurs. Below is a sample of current loan programs offered by the “Big 5” Canadian banks that are available specifically for equipment or property (purchase or lease):

  • Business Lines of Credit for Equipment or Property (purchase or lease)

In addition to loans, there are lines of credit offered by some commercial banks specifically for equipment or property (purchase or lease) entrepreneurs.

certifiacte-icon

Guaranteed Government Grants

Get a FREE 45-page guide with proven steps to business grants success:

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

    Here are some lines of credit currently available to Ontario businesses for equipment or property (purchase or lease):

    • Tax Credits for Equipment or Property (purchase or lease)

    A tax credit reduces the tax that a business pays on its taxable income.  

    There is an equipment or property tax credit available for Ontario businesses:

    Tax Credits for Equipment or Property (purchase or lease)

    Best Equipment and Property (Purchase or Lease) Business Grants, Loans & More

    While there are lots of good programs available, below we highlight some of the best grants, loans, loan guarantees & more for equipment or property (purchase or lease) available to Ontario businesses:

    Best Government Grants for Equipment or Property (purchase or lease)

    Infrastructure Canada and Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) – Zero Emission Transit Fund (ZETF): Planning Projects and Capital Projects

    The Zero Emission Transit Fund provides contributions to public transit and school bus operators across Canada who are electrifying their fleets. ZETF supports planning and capital projects that will reduce the barriers to procuring zero emission transit and school buses in Canada.

    Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade – Regional Development Program: Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) Stream

    The Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) Stream will provide financial support to advanced manufacturing companies with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises across Ontario. It will provide investments in capital equipment, technology adoption and skills development.

    Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program (FSIIP) – Business Projects

    The Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program (FSIIP) – Business Projects program provides funding for strategic investments in the forest sector to for-profit manufacturers and processors of wood and forest biomass across Ontario.

    Strategic investments must improve productivity and innovation, enhance competitiveness, support new market access, provide benefits to Ontario’s broader forest sector and strengthen regional economies.

    Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) – INVEST North Program: Investment – Grow Stream

    The Investment – Grow Stream provides financial support to businesses expanding existing operations in Northern Ontario.

    Best Government Loans for Equipment or Property (purchase or lease)

    Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) – Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP): Boost Your Business Technology

    The Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP), by the Government of Canada, helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adopt digital technologies to increase their competitiveness through this program. Eligible businesses will receive a grant to build their digital plan, followed by a 0% loan of up to $100,000 to implement it.

    The loan can be used for:

    • acquiring IT equipment;
    • installation of new technologies;
    • updating and/or expanding IT equipment;
    • training staff on onboarded technologies;
    • materials and support services directly related to onboarding the technology;
    • further advisory services on particular aspects of the digital adoption plan.
    Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) – Commercial Real Estate Financing

    The Commercial Real Estate Loan offers financing that can be used for:

    • increasing capacity (purchasing land and buildings or covering construction costs to build new ones);
    • upgrading facilities (expanding or renovating existing premises);
    • complementing the line of credit (replenishing working capital depleted by real estate costs).
    Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) – Equipment Purchase Financing

    BDC helps Canadian businesses invest in equipment to expand and modernize operations, or replace outdated machinery so that they can increase production and fuel their growth.

    Financing can be used to:

    • increase capacity (purchase production line machinery, equipment, or specialized equipment such as lab material),
    • improve efficiency (invest in commercial vehicles or modernize operations),
    • complement their line of credit (replenish working capital depleted by equipment costs).
    FedNor – Targeted Manufacturing Initiative for Northern Ontario: Productivity Improvements under Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program (REGI)

    Through its Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program, FedNor provides repayable assistance to existing Northern Ontario manufacturers to upgrade and improve capital equipment used in manufacturing processes, including information and communications technology, to improve their competitiveness and productivity.

    Best Government Loan Guarantee for Equipment or Property (purchase or lease)

    Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) – Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP)

    The Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses to obtain loans from financial institutions because the government shares the risk with the lenders.

    Best Tax Credits

    Canada Revenue Agency – Full Expensing for Clean Energy Investments

    The Full Expensing for Clean Energy Investments allows businesses to immediately write off the full cost of specified clean energy equipment, subject to the Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) rules.

    Best Utility Company Grant for Equipment or Property (purchase or lease)

    Enbridge Gas – Equipment Upgrades: Fixed Incentive Program: Air Curtain, Condensing Make-up Air (MUA), & Dock Door Seal

    The Fixed Incentive Program is designed to offset the cost of upgrading equipment to energy-efficient natural gas technology, whether replacing end-of-life equipment or planning to buy new equipment. This program provides three incentives, including:

    • Air curtains;
    • Condensing MUAs;
    • Dock door seals.

    Best Non-profit Grants for Equipment or Property (purchase or lease)

    Innovation Initiatives Ontario North (IION) – Triple-P Program

    The Triple-P program is designed to spur economic development by offsetting the cost of purchasing equipment or software related to the innovative commercial product, process, or service of the for-profit company in three categories: productivity, prototype, and process improvements.

    This support could be applicable, but not limited to, projects that have the following outcomes:

    • increased efficiency;
    • added production capacity;
    • reduced waste;
    • strengthened competitiveness;
    • entered a new geographic or product markets;
    • new product development.
    Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre (NOIC) – Next Level Program

    The Next Level program provides funding for Northwestern Ontario businesses with an innovative product or service and looking to expand. The support may be applicable to contracted expertise, services or direct costs in any of the following areas: equipment purchase, expansion to new markets, conference & tradeshows costs ($1,000 max), training & certification costs.

    Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) – Responsive Advancement for Meat Processing (RAMP) Program

    The Responsive Advancement for Meat Processing (RAMP) Program provides northern Ontario abattoirs and free-standing meat processing up to $25,000 at 75% cost-share towards the purchase of new technologies, equipment and/or materials that will result in the growth and diversity of the meat sector supply chain within the agri-food sector in the region.

    Best Non-profit Loans for Equipment or Property (purchase or lease)

    Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) in Ontario (Community Futures Ontario) – Community Futures Program (CFP)

    CFDCs are dedicated to helping small and medium sized businesses access services and capital, as well as enhancing their community’s economic and employment growth through community-based planning and economic development initiatives.

    CFDCs offer the following services:

    • strategic community planning and socio-economic development;
    • support for community-based projects;
    • business Services and Counselling;
    • business Loans up to $150,000 ($300,000 on exception).
    Greenstone Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) – 3-Tier Lending Program

    GEDC’s 3-Tier Lending Program was developed to assist new and existing small to medium enterprises (SME) to finance startup, expansion, purchase of assets or working capital. There are 3 types of loans:

    • Micro Loans are ideal for smaller businesses looking for help with start-up and other costs. There is a simplified application and approval process.
    • General Loans can help Greenstone businesses of all sizes reach their maximum potential.
    • Pool Loans are available through the CFDC’s Northwestern Ontario Investment Pool (Seven Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) in Northwestern Ontario now have the ability to provide loans to Northwestern Ontario businesses in excess of their normal lending cap of $150,000 to as much as $500,000).
    Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario (IAPO) – Business Financing

    IAPO provides a number of financing options for small businesses and entrepreneurs in Central and Eastern Ontario including:

    • business start-up and expansion loans – working capital, bridge financing, and term loans;
    • equipment loans and – production machinery and equipment, commercial vehicles, construction equipment, and technology – servers, network, computers;
    • commercial and real estate financing – purchase of land and buildings; construction of new premises and expansion or renovation of existing premises.
    Two Rivers Community Development Centre (TRCDC) – General Loans

    TRCDC provides financing of up to $1,150,000 to First Nations entrepreneurs in their service area. Loans are available for business expansion, business acquisition, equipment purchase, and working capital for inventory and day to day expenses.

    Wellington Waterloo Community Futures (WWCF) – Rural Women in Business Loans

    Wellington Waterloo Community Futures provides rural women in business loans that help with startup funds or expansion plans. The maximum loan size is $250,000.00 to be used for the purchase of fixed assets, leasehold improvements, inventory, expansion, start-up or working capital or a combination of any along with some consolidation.

    Similar Posts

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *