Resources for Rural Ontario

Ontario's plan for growing and maintaining rural businesses

Rural communities need a robust economy to stay strong and vibrant. Businesses that create jobs are a key part of that robust economy. Research shows that most new jobs are created by existing businesses.

The government of Ontario offers an important program, called the Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) program. It helps rural communities identify actions that will help local businesses keep existing jobs and create new ones. It explains how to open the lines of communication between key partners, including:

• Businesses


• Local government


• Agencies


• Organizations


• Community members.

BR+E is a five-step program that helps keep businesses in business.

• The Ontario Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) Program was recognized with an Award of Excellence at the Annual Business Retention and Expansion International Conference in Wichita, Kansas on June 5, 2008.
• The Ontario BR+E Program is the winner for 2008 in the State or Province-wide Program Award category.