September 23, 2026
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The provincial government is accepting nominations for the Rural Ontario Inspiration Awards, an annual program recognizing the people, businesses, organizations and communities that are helping to drive economic growth, create opportunity and strengthen rural Ontario.
“In rural communities across the province, people are making a difference every day by stepping up, creating opportunities and helping to build a stronger rural Ontario,” said Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, minister of rural affairs. “The response to last year’s Rural Ontario Inspiration Awards showed us how important it is to recognize and honour those contributions, and we’re proud to continue that celebration in 2027.”
The awards will recognize outstanding achievements across eight categories:
Rural Inspiration
Rural Community
Rural Entrepreneur
Rural Youth Leader
Rural Economic Innovation
Rural Partnerships
Rural Champion
Rural Heart
Nominations will be accepted until Oct. 23. To learn more about the program and submit a nomination visit Ontario.ca/RuralAwards.
The Rural Ontario Inspiration Awards support the three pillars of Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy by recognizing contributions to safe and strong rural communities, business development and attraction and a growing rural workforce, all of which help build a strong and thriving rural economy.
QUICK FACTS:
Following a unanimous vote by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, March 31, Rural Ontario Week was established as an annual provincial observance during the third full week of September.
Ontario is the first province in Canada to formally recognize an annual week celebrating the contributions of rural communities.
The third application window of the Rural Ontario Development Program (ROD) is open until Oct. 1
Since 2019, the government has committed $38.3-million to support 757 projects through the ROD Program and its predecessor, the Rural Economic Development Fund (RED).
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