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Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) is a grant program from FloridaCommerce that funds infrastructure planning and development projects in rural Florida communities, with the goal of encouraging job creation, capital investment, and economic diversification.
The Florida Legislature appropriated million for the program in State Fiscal Year 2024-2025, including million for the statewide program and million designated for Panhandle communities. Eligible applicants include units of local government in Rural Areas of Opportunity (RAOs) and designated rural counties or communities. Private entities may also be eligible in some cases.
Grants support feasibility studies (,000-,000) and infrastructure projects at up to 75%-100% of project costs.
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Rural Infrastructure Fund # FY 2024-2025 Program Guidelines The Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) is a grant program within the Florida Department of Commerce (FloridaCommerce), created to facilitate the planning, preparing, and financing of infrastructure projects in rural communities, which will encourage job creation, capital investment, and the strengthening and diversification of rural economies.
The Florida Legislature appropriated $15 million for the RIF statewide program and $5 million for the Panhandle-Specific program for a total of $20 million for the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-2025. Eligible Applicants and Technical Assistance RIF funds are available to units of local government within an area designated as a Rural Area of Opportunity (RAO) or a rural county or community as defined by s. 288.
0656, Florida Statutes (F. S.) • “Rural area of opportunity” means a rural community, or a region composed of rural communities, designated by the Governor, which has been adversely affected by an extraordinary economic event, severe or chronic distress, or a natural disaster or that presents a unique economic development opportunity of regional impact.
• “Rural community” means: o A county with a population of 75,000 or fewer. o A county with a population of 125,000 or fewer which is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or fewer. o A municipality within a county described in the two bullets above.
o An unincorporated federal enterprise community or an incorporated rural city with a population of 25,000 or fewer and an employment base focused on traditional agricultural or resource-based industries, located in a county not defined as rural, which has at least three or more of the economic distress factors identified in s. 288. 0656(1)(c), F.
S. , and verified by the FloridaCommerce.
The following counties, including municipalities within the counties, are eligible applicants: • Baker County • Jackson County • Bradford County • Jefferson County • Calhoun County • Lafayette County • Columbia County • Levy County • Desoto County • Liberty County • Dixie County • Madison County • Franklin County • Nassau County • Gadsden County • Okeechobee County • Gilchrist County • Putnam County • Glades County • Suwannee County • Gulf County • Taylor County • Hamilton County • Union County • Hardee County • Wakulla County • Hendry County • Walton County • Highlands County • Washington County • Holmes County Additionally, the following local governments are eligible applicants: • City of Archer • Town of Jay • Town of Astatula • City of Lake Wales • City of Belle Glade • City of Pahokee • City of Bunnell • City of Palmetto • Town of Dundee • Town of Penney Farms • City of Dunnellon • Town of Pierson • City of Fellsmere • City of Polk City • City of Florida City • Town of Reddick • City of Fort Meade • City of San Antonio • City of Frostproof • Town of Southwest Ranches • City of Hawthorne • City of Umatilla • Village of Indiantown • City of Webster FloridaCommerce staff are available to provide support throughout the application process.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend all scheduled webinars and trainings provided by FloridaCommerce. Applicants can find current information about the RIF program at www. FloridaJobs.
org/RIF. Questions regarding the RIF program should be sent to RIF@Commerce. FL.
gov . Eligible activities for RIF funds include planning and construction projects for: • Improvements to public infrastructure for industrial and commercial sites. • Upgrades to, or development of, public tourism infrastructure.
• Improvements to inadequate infrastructure that has resulted in regulatory action. Authorized infrastructure may include the following public-private partnership facilities: • Telecommunications facilities. • Roads or other remedies to transportation impediments.
• Nature-based tourism facilities. • Other physical requirements to facilitate tourism, trade, and economic development activities in the community.
Grant Categories and Maximum Award Amounts Total Project Participation Grants To facilitate access and maximize the use of state, federal, local, and private resources, grants may be awarded for up to 75% of the total infrastructure project costs, or up to 100% of the total infrastructure project cost for a project located in a rural community as defined in s. 288. 0656(2), F.
S. which is also located in a fiscally constrained county as defined in s. 218.
67(1), F. S. , or a rural area of opportunity as defined in s.
288. 0656(2), F. S.
Project Planning and Preparation Grants FloridaCommerce may award grants of up to $300,000 for infrastructure feasibility studies, design and engineering activities, or other infrastructure planning and preparation activities. Grants awarded under this category may be used in conjunction with Total Project Participation grants.
Preclearance Review Grants To enable rural communities to access the resources available under the Expedited Permitting – Preclearance Review Process as defined in s. 403. 973(18), F.
S. , grants may be awarded for surveys, feasibility studies, and other activities related to the identification and preclearance review of land which is suitable for preclearance review. Grant application criteria includes the extent to which administrative and consultant expenses are minimized.
Maximum award amounts and local match requirements: • Projects located outside an RAO - $75,000 with 50% local funds match. • Projects located within an RAO - $300,000 with no local funds match required. • Projects located within a catalyst site, as defined in s.
288. 0656, F. S.
, – maximum amounts same as above depending on RAO status. However, the local funds match requirement may be waived pursuant to the process in s. 288.
06561, F. S. , for projects located outside of an RAO.
Job Creation and Capital Investment The purpose of RIF funding is to attract job creation and capital investment in rural economies. Applications submitted under all grant categories should demonstrate the need of the infrastructure project in attracting job creation and capital investment.
Application Evaluation Review Criteria RIF grant application review will include an evaluation of the proposed project’s economic benefit and long-term viability. In addition, FloridaCommerce will consider factors including, but not limited to: • The project’s potential for enhanced job creation or increased capital investment. • The demonstration and level of local public and private commitment.
Grant administrative and consultant expenses should be minimized to the extent possible. Monitoring may be conducted to ensure that the recipient has systems in place to properly comply with program requirements. Recipients will be required to submit quarterly status reports that detail the progress that has been made on the project and to detail what steps will be taken in the next quarter.
Pursuant to s. 112. 3143, F.
S. , the following people or their immediate family members shall not have any direct or indirect financial interest in any contract, subcontract, or the proceeds thereof for work to be performed in connection with the grant during their tenure or for one year thereafter: • Employees or agents of the recipient who exercise any function or responsibility for the RIF project.
• Officials of the recipient, including members of the governing body. RIF grant funds may not be used to pay for administrative fees or costs. At FloridaCommerce’s discretion, funding may be approved for a lower amount than requested in the application.
Additional resources and other RIF program information can be found on the FloridaCommerce website at www. FloridaJobs. org/RIF .
Questions or requests for technical assistance regarding the RIF program, proposed projects, or how to complete and submit an application should be addressed to RIF@Commerce. FL. gov .
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Local governments and private entities in rural communities. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates $75,000-$300,000 (feasibility); up to 75%-100% of project costs Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
The Fund for Women & Girls Grant Program is sponsored by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC). The Fund for Women & Girls, an initiative of TFEC, makes grants to local nonprofit organizations in specific South Central PA counties. The grants support projects that advance the lives of women and girls by providing opportunities to address basic needs, develop economic self-sufficiency, and strengthen health and safety needs.
VGF grants will be used to develop and/or support community-based entities to recruit, manage, and support volunteers. CNCS seeks to fund effective approaches that expand volunteering, strengthen the capacity of volunteer connector organizations to recruit and retain skill-based volunteers, and develop strategies to use volunteers effectively to solve problems. Specifically, the VGF grants will support efforts that expand the capacity of volunteer connector organizations to recruit, manage, support and retain individuals to serve in high quality volunteer assignments.Applicants that receive funding under this Notice may directly carry out the activities supported under the award, or may carry out the activities by making sub-grants to community-based entities, supporting volunteer generation at these entities.). Funding Opportunity Number: AC-05-25-21. Assistance Listing: 94.021. Funding Instrument: G. Category: O. Award Amount: $6.1M total program funding.