FL S1984

Increases grant awards from the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development for rural infrastructure projects from 30 percent to 50 percent of total project costs, and from 40 percent to 60 percent for catalyst sites.

Allows grants for infrastructure feasibility studies and planning activities up to $300,000 for projects in rural areas of critical economic concern, with combined grants capped at 75 percent of total project cost when the state purchases at least 20,000 acres within 15 square miles of such areas.

Modifies local matching fund requirements for grant applications, waiving the match requirement for catalyst sites or when the state purchases at least 20,000 acres within 15 square miles of a rural area of critical economic concern.

Requires that when the state or state agency purchases at least 20,000 acres within 15 square miles of a rural area of critical economic concern, at least 7.5 percent of the total purchase price must be appropriated into the Rural Infrastructure Fund for use in the affected region over 5 equal annual installments.

Effective date: July 1, 2010.