The Rural Economic Development Initiative, known as REDI, recognizes those rural or economically distressed counties or communities designated pursuant to sections 288.0656 and 288.06561, Florida Statutes as REDI qualified. The REDI program is administered within the Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development.

REDI designation means that you are not required to show cash match for project grants

• Cultural Support Specific Project,
• Arts in Education,
• Challenge, and
• Quarterly Assistance

In-kind match to the equivalent of total match required must be shown. This exempts only cash match.

If your organization is in one of the following counties you qualifying for REDI status and can request a cash match waiver.

Counties

• Baker
• Bradford
• Calhoun
• Columbia
• DeSoto
• Dixie
• Flagler
• Franklin
• Gadsden
• Gilchrist
• Glades
• Gulf
• Hamilton
• Hardee
• Hendry
• Highlands
• Holmes
• Jackson
• Jefferson
• Lafayette
• Levy
• Liberty
• Madison
• Nassau
• Okeechobee
• Putnam
• Suwannee
• Taylor
• Union
• Wakulla
• Walton
• Washington

If you are not in one of the above counties you may still qualify if you are in one of the following cities/towns. Some cities/towns may no longer qualify for REDI after the listed expiration date (shown after the county).

Cities/Towns

• Archer (Alachua) - 11/30/08
• Belle Glade (Palm Beach)
• Bushnell (Sumter) - 3/21/08
• Center Hill (Sumter) - 3/21/08
• Century (Escambia) - 3/2/08
• Dundee (Polk) - 3/21/08
• Hastings, (St. Johns)  - 3/21/08
• Jay (Santa Rosa) - 11/19/2008
• Lake Wales (Polk) - 7/20/08
• Pahokee, Palm Beach
• South Bay, Palm Beach
• Wildwood (Sumter) - 7/19/08
• Zephyrhills (Pascoe) - 10/9/08

To obtain a match waiver for a REDI location, you must submit a letter from your county government that acknowledges your grant application and requests a waiver on your behalf (the applicant organization). This letter will be included in the required attachments section of your application.

If you have any questions about this match waiver, contact the Division staff member in charge of the program to which you are applying for assistance.

For more information or updates, you may either continue to check this page or contact the Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development at 850/245-2568.

This list was last updated in October 2007.