The Florida Senate

288.0657  Florida rural economic development strategy grants.--

(1)  As used in this section, the term "rural community" means:

(a)  A county with a population of 75,000 or less.

(b)  A county with a population of 100,000 or less that is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or less.

(c)  A municipality within a county described in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b).

For purposes of this subsection, population shall be determined in accordance with the most recent official estimate pursuant to s. 186.901

(2)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development may accept and administer moneys appropriated to the office for providing grants to assist rural communities to develop and implement strategic economic development plans.

(3)  A rural community, an economic development organization in a rural area, or a regional organization representing at least one rural community or such economic development organizations may apply for such grants.

(4)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., and VISIT Florida, shall establish criteria for reviewing grant applications. These criteria shall include, but are not limited to, the degree of participation and commitment by the local community and the application's consistency with local comprehensive plans or the application's proposal to ensure such consistency. The International Trade and Economic Development Board of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and VISIT Florida, shall review each application for a grant and shall submit annually to the office for approval a list of all applications that are recommended by the board and VISIT Florida, arranged in order of priority. The office may approve grants only to the extent that funds are appropriated for such grants by the Legislature.

History.--s. 98, ch. 99-251.