Photo supplied by Pixabay
The Ontario government is accepting nominations for the 2027 Rural Ontario Inspiration Awards, recognizing people, businesses, organizations and communities that contribute to economic growth and strengthen rural communities.
The annual awards recognize achievements in eight categories: Rural Inspiration, Rural Community, Rural Entrepreneur, Rural Youth Leader, Rural Economic Innovation, Rural Partnerships, Rural Champion and Rural Heart.
Nominations are open until Oct. 23, 2026.
Rural Affairs Minister Lisa Thompson says the awards provide an opportunity to recognize people across the province who are creating opportunities and contributing to rural communities.
The program supports the three pillars of the province’s rural economic development strategy, which focus on strong rural communities, business development and attraction, and a growing rural workforce.
The awards come during Rural Ontario Week, which was established by the Ontario legislature in March as an annual provincial observance during the third full week of September.
The province says Ontario is the first province in Canada to formally recognize an annual week celebrating rural communities.
The government also says the third application window for the Rural Ontario Development Program is open until Oct. 1.
Since 2019, Ontario says it has committed $38.3 million through the program and its predecessor, the Rural Economic Development Fund, to support 757 projects.
Nominations for the Rural Ontario Inspiration Awards can be submitted through the provincial government’s website.
(Steve Berard)
