Rural Economic Development Initiative

Section 288.0656, Florida Statutes, establishes the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) to better serve Florida's economically distressed rural communities by providing a more focused and coordinated effort among state and regional agencies that provide programs and services for rural areas. An "economically distressed" county/community is eligible to request a "Waiver or Reduction of Match" of jobs or wage requirements, eligible company criterion, inducement requirement and grants. Each state agency determines which grant programs will allow for a waiver of match based on their annual budget and federal and state guidelines. Learn more about the Rural Definition and Eligibility for REDI.

House Bill 1209

• House Bill 1209 Webinar Recording
• House Bill 1209 Webinar Slide Deck

Monthly REDI Meetings

• October 2023

REDI:

• Responds to specific community needs and requests.
• Works with communities to improve their rural economies.
• Assists communities in improving access to housing, health care and educational opportunities.
• Recommends waivers of provisions of economic development programs on a project-by-project basis.
• Undertakes advocacy, outreach and capacity building to improve conditions in rural communities.
• Provides direct access and referrals to appropriate state agencies, as well as county and city associations.
• Reviews and evaluates the impact of statutes and rules on rural communities and works to minimize adverse impact.

Florida REDI Agencies by Statute Include:

• Agency for Health Care Administration
• CareerSource Florida
• Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
• Department of Children and Family Services
• Department of Corrections
• Department of Education
• Department of Environmental Protection
• Department of Health
• Department of Juvenile Justice
• Department of State
• Department of Transportation
• Enterprise Florida, Inc.
• Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences
• The Florida Regional Planning Councils
• VISIT FLORIDA, Inc.
• Water Management Districts

Additional REDI Partners Include:

• Florida Department of Elder Affairs
• Florida Association of Counties
• Florida League of Cities
• United States Department of Agriculture - Rural Development - Florida
• United States Economic Development Administration

All submissions must include the most current data available, census tract number(s) of the area to be included and backup documentation of all sources. Please send requests to the attention of:

• Chris O'Kelley, Director, Office of Rural Initiatives
• FloridaCommerce
• 107 East Madison Street
• Tallahassee, Florida 32399
• Phone: (850) 717-8506
• christopher.okelley@commerce.fl.gov