FY 2022-2023 RIF Statewide Program Guidelines
(Page Shortcut: www.FloridaJobs.org/RIF)
Program Summary
The purpose of the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) Grant is 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 RIF program is intended to facilitate access of rural communities to infrastructure funding programs, such as those offered by the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant, United States Department of Agriculture - Rural Development, and the United States Department of Commerce - Economic Development Administration.
Fiscal Year 2022-2023 RIF Available Funding
A total of $30 million in funding was made available through RIF for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023. Funding in the amount of $25 million was available for eligible rural communities statewide. Additionally, $5 million was available through the Florida Panhandle Specific Appropriation.
During Fiscal Year 2022-2023, Governor DeSantis has awarded more than $12 million to 17 communities through RIF as part of his commitment to the success of Florida's rural communities.
Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Grant Application Cycle and Submission Information
An application cycle was opened July 15, 2022 and closed on August 31, 2022. Awards from this cycle have been announced and grant funding in the amount of $18 million is now available through a second cycle.
The application cycle opens on January 27, 2023, and closes on March 13, 2023.
Applications will be reviewed upon closing of the application cycle and awards will be recommended based on application completeness, eligibility, and statutory factors for funding consideration.
Interested applicants must REGISTER to request a personalized link to the online RIF FY 2022-2023 Application Portal. Each application to be submitted must be requested separately.
RIF Statewide Funding
Eligible Applicants are units of local government within an area designated as a Rural Area of Opportunity or a rural county or community as defined by the Rural Economic Development Initiative (pursuant to Section 288.0656, Florida Statutes).
Eligible Activities include planning and construction for necessary investments in water, sewer, stormwater, or broadband Internet infrastructure.
RIF Statewide Application Webinar FY 2022-2023
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is hosting a second webinar on Friday, March 3, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., Eastern Time, to provide an overview of the process and technical assistance to complete and submit an application. Register to attend the webinar here.
On February 9, DEO hosted the first webinar to provide an overview of the RIF application process and provide technical assistsance. The webinar recording and slides are available below.
RIF Statewide Application Information and Documents
Grant Categories
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 50 percent of the total infrastructure project costs related to specific job-creating or job-retention opportunities. Eligible uses of funds include:
- Improvements to public infrastructure for industrial or commercial sites;
- Upgrades to or development of public tourism infrastructure;
- Improvements to access and availability of broadband Internet service;
- Improvements to broadband internet service and access must be conducted through partnership(s) with one or more dealers registered with the Department of Revenue as a provider of communications services.
- Partnership(s) must be established through a competitive selection process that is publicly noticed.
- Improvements to inadequate infrastructure that has resulted in regulatory action.
Project Planning and Preparation Grants:
To facilitate timely response and induce the location or expansion of specific job creating opportunities, grants may be awarded 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 provided the total amount of both grants does not exceed 30 percent of the total project cost. Maximum amounts of grants:
- $50,000 for employment project with a business committed to create at least 100 jobs;
- $150,000 for employment project with a business committed to create at least 300 jobs; and
- $300,000 for a project in a rural area of opportunity.
Preclearance Review Grants:
To enable rural communities to access the resources available under the Expedited Permitting - Preclearance Review Process (Section 403.973(18), Florida Statutes), 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. Maximum amounts and match requirements:
- Projects located outside a Rural Area of Opportunity - $75,000 with 50 percent local funds match.
- Projects located within a Rural Area of Opportunity - $300,000 with 33 percent local funds match.
- Projects located within a catalyst site (as defined in Section 288.0656, Florida Statutes): maximum amounts same as above with local funds match requirement waived.
RIF Program Additional Information and Resources
For questions or requests for technical assistance regarding the RIF program, proposed projects, or completion and submission of applications, please email RIF@DEO.MyFlorida.com.