Governor Ron DeSantis Awards 14 Florida Communities through the Rural Infrastructure Fund for Infrastructure Improvements

In addition to these awards, Governor DeSantis also announced that the Town of Century has been awarded nearly $500,000 through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund for a building renovation and fire suppression system upgrade, supporting a potential tenant

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, following Hurricane Isaias' direct hit to the Florida Panhandle, Governor Ron DeSantis announced $27 million in awards to small and rural communities across Florida through the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF). Awards were made to 14 Florida communities for projects that will complete critical infrastructure and strengthen rural economies—including eight communities and counties throughout the Panhandle. This funding will go towards projects like enhancing roadway connectivity, enhancing stormwater infrastructure, and renovating a building that will house a new primary care clinic, rural specialty care clinic and EMS operations. In addition to these awards, Governor DeSantis also announced that the Town of Century has been awarded nearly $500,000 through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund for a building renovation and fire suppression system upgrade, supporting a potential tenant. As Hurricane Isaias recovery efforts continue, this funding is mission critical to ensure long-term, reliable infrastructure and economic growth in the Panhandle and beyond.

"As we continue helping communities recover from Hurricane Isaias, we are also making investments to strengthen rural Florida and support economic growth," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "Today in Washington County, I announced $27 million in Rural Infrastructure Fund awards for critical projects in 14 small and rural communities across Florida. We're also awarding $24.3 million to 12 additional rural communities to invest in infrastructure and economic opportunity. Florida has made tremendous progress recovering from this storm. We are committed to supporting the families, businesses, and communities that have been affected so that they can rebuild in the short term and thrive in the long term."

"Since taking office, Governor DeSantis has prioritized getting Florida's rural communities the resources and support they need to thrive," said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. "Through the Rural Infrastructure Fund, Florida has continued to make strategic investments into the critical infrastructure and economic prosperity of Florida's rural communities—promoting job growth, spurring investment and enhancing the quality of life for rural Floridians."

The RIF program supports infrastructure projects that drive job creation, capital investment and strengthen economies in Rural Areas of Opportunity (RAO), rural counties and rural communities. In June 2026, FloridaCommerce announced that a total of $27 million was available to rural communities statewide, including $5 million dedicated to Panhandle-specific counties including Calhoun, Gadsden, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty and Washington. This year, FloridaCommerce received a record 141 applications requesting more than $193 million in funding during the 2026-2027 RIF application period.

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The Florida Panhandle-specific communities receiving funding are:

Calhoun County Board of County Commissioners:

• $2,497,933 – to acquire and renovate an existing commercial building immediately adjacent to the new Calhoun Liberty Hospital campus that will house a co-located primary care clinic, rural specialty care center, and county EMS operations. The project is expected to create approximately 33 full-time jobs.
• $1,000,000 – for the design and engineering, environmental review, and construction engineering and inspection services for a new commercial hangar at the Calhoun County Airport. Remaining funds will support the construction of the hangar—expanding aviation capacity and positioning the airport for business recruitment and job creation.

City of Chipley:

• $911,980 – to implement the Downtown Parking Improvements Project within the Historic Commercial District of Chipley. The project will rehabilitate two existing public parking facilities and construct a new public parking area with associated infrastructure improvements—supporting downtown revitalization efforts, strengthening tourism infrastructure, improving access to businesses and community events, and promoting long-term economic growth.

Jackson County Board of County Commissioners:

• $1,985,500 – to construct a new access roadway to the approximately 300-acre Endeavor Industrial Park to improve connectivity, enhance traffic safety, and support ongoing industrial development. The project includes construction of the roadway; associated drainage infrastructure; installation of water, sewer, natural gas, electrical, and broadband utilities; and the engineering, surveying, and construction inspection services necessary for project implementation.
• $1,970,115 – to develop an approximately 13-acre RV park and campground at the Blue Springs Recreational Area in Marianna.

Washington County Board of County Commissioners:

• $300,000 – to complete a feasibility study for a proposed regional Sports and Entertainment Complex featuring a multi-purpose baseball and softball stadium, lodging accommodations, and supporting infrastructure.
• $1,436,470.80 – to complete the remaining construction and CEI funding gap for the Holmes Valley Gateway Project – Phase II. The overall project will stabilize and improve approximately 4.07 miles of roadway. They are also being awarded $2,053,677 for the project through the Florida Department of Transportation.

The Florida rural communities statewide receiving funding are:

City of Chiefland:

• $3,500,000 – to construct a 55,000 square foot grocery development with additional outparcels that require roadway, water and wastewater infrastructure.

City of Moore Haven:

• $1,150,501.20 – to bid on and construct a 500 linear foot seawall and new dockage accommodations for the City of Moore Haven's marina—improving long-term safety measures and access to new docks and boat moorings for both locals and tourist accessing the river.

City of Tavares:

• $300,000 – to fund an infrastructure study for stormwater resiliency in the St. Clair Abrams Avenue Corridor.

Franklin County Board of County Commissioners:

• $1,312,500 – to complete shoreline stabilization, breakwater installation, and structural improvements at the St. George Island Boat Ramp, protecting the facility from erosion and storm impacts. The project will support safe, reliable access to Apalachicola Bay for an estimated 200–300 maritime and tourism-related workers including charter captains, oystermen, aquaculture operators, and recreational users.

Gulf County Board of County Commissioners:

• $3,000,000 – to cover the cost of design, permitting, and construction of approximately seven miles of wastewater transmission lines and lift station(s). The line will be placed along State Road 71 starting at the Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility site near Five Points Road and ending at County Road 387.

Jefferson County:

• $2,500,000 – to design and construct water and wastewater extensions, a paved road access, and stormwater improvements to the Jefferson County Industrial Park for existing tenants.

Putman County Board of County Commissioners:

• $285,000 – to conduct planning studies and preliminary design activities to support infrastructure modernization at Port Putnam's Port Terminal and Port Annex.

Town of Jay:

• $100,000 to the Town of Jay to evaluate the existing wastewater treatment facility and determine the most feasible long-term solution through either rehabilitation or replacement of the system.
  • $500,000 to prepare a shovel-ready industrial site within the Town of Jay Industrial Park by constructing a building pad and extending water, sanitary sewer, electrical and communications utilities, and providing driveway access. These infrastructure improvements will support the future development of a 20,000-square-foot speculative industrial building designed to attract new and expanding businesses.

Village of Indiantown:

• $750,000 – to replace an aging, undersized 2-inch galvanized steel water main along SW Osceola Street I Indiantown which is currently running through a crowded 10-foot easement.

Walton County:

• $3,500,000 – for improvements to access on the north side of the Northwest Florida Commerce Park and provide new railroad crossing signals at the new intersection.

The following community receiving an award through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is:

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Town of Century:

• $499,500 – to renovate an existing building, bringing it up to code for a potential tenant, including upgrades to the fire suppression system.

For more information on the Rural Infrastructure Fund, please click HERE.

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