Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced $20 million in awards to small county governments and rural municipalities through the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF).
Awards were made to 17 Florida communities for projects that will complete critical infrastructure and strengthen rural economies.
“Florida is committed to supporting our rural communities and providing the resources they need for economic growth,” said Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. “These investments will support infrastructure improvement, attract businesses and create long-term economic success.”
The Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) program supports the planning and financing of infrastructure projects in rural communities to drive growth and attract businesses. This year, FloridaCommerce received a record 93 applications requesting over $115 million. The entire $20 million allocated to the program has been awarded to 17 communities, including Cedar Key and Cross City, which were previously announced as recipients. Since 2019, the program has awarded over $90 million.
The following communities will receive funds through the RIF Program:
- City of Bonifay ($1,233,000) – to construct drainage improvements to address significant flooding issues at four key locations.
- Cedar Key Water & Sewer District ($2,500,000) – to continue rehabilitating 17 lift stations following Hurricane Idalia, which caused significant flooding and operational failures.
- City of Chipley ($295,000) – to complete the designing, engineering, and survey work needed to extend public sanitary sewer service along Brickyard Road.
- Town of Cross City ($620,000) – to evaluate and improve the town’s three potable wells, potentially adding a fourth, to maintain and support the water plant.
- Dixie County ($300,000) – to develop a master plan to improve Cross City Airport’s primary access road.
- Hardee County Industrial Development Authority ($1,478,822) – to construct a centralized parking area in the City of Wauchula to support local businesses, tourism, and an ongoing housing project adjacent to the downtown site.
- Indian River State College ($1,500,000) – to complete property assessment and planning, the first phase in revitalizing the Okeechobee School for Boys property – this project is expected to create ten new jobs.
- Jackson County BOCC (1,665,000) – to enhance the public sewer system along US 231 by rehabilitating the Barber Road Lift Station.
- Town of Lee ($1,100,000) – to complete construction and construction engineering inspection for upgrades to the waterline that will service the Madison County Industrial Park. This project is expected to create 40-50 new jobs.
- City of Live Oak ($559,365) – to rehabilitate an existing lift station with new equipment and infrastructure to increase capacity, improve reliability, and support city growth.
- City of Marianna ($1,655,000) – to facilitate upgrades to a municipally owned facility, including an OSHA-compliant drive-in ramp, an additional roll-up door, relocation of ceiling obstructions, and building life safety and code compliance. This project is expected to create 110 new jobs.
- City of Perry ($1,396,319) – to demolish and rebuild a new lift station to help prevent sanitary sewer overflows and mitigate risks from the use of obsolete equipment.
- Sebring Airport Authority ($600,000) – received funding in two separate allocations to support critical infrastructure projects. One allocation will fund the design and permitting for improvements to Carroll Shelby Drive, the primary road in the Logistics Park at Sebring Regional Airport. The other allocation will support drainage enhancements and resurfacing for Webster Turn Road, also located in the Logistics Park.
- City of Sneads ($84,500) – to make urgent repairs to the town’s water system, addressing issues of noncompliance identified in a recent FDEP inspections.
- Wakulla County ($4,504,369) – to acquire land, design, permit, and
conduct land improvements to support the county’s efforts to obtain property and construct a facility that will be leased to Project Boomer and support the county’s active pipeline project. This project is expected to create 42 new jobs and retain 79 jobs. - Washington County ($67,500) – to conduct a feasibility study to analyze the current infrastructure and environmental factors to determine its readiness for future commercial development.
- City of Wauchula ($441,125) – to provide comprehensive expansion and resurfacing improvements to Hogan Street, connecting Highway 17 South and Highway 17 North. This project is expected to create 40 new jobs.
“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida continues to prioritize our rural communities,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “These strategic, targeted investments are focused on job creators – these funds will immediately create new jobs and ready sites for new business in the heart of Florida for generations to come.”
For more information, visit the Rural Infrastructure Fund online.