FL S1646

Expands eligible uses of regional rural development grants to include hiring professional staff for economic development organizations and providing technical assistance to local governments, businesses, and economic development organizations.

Increases maximum annual grant amounts to $50,000 for regional organizations, $150,000 for those in rural areas of opportunity, and $250,000 for three recognized regional organizations serving entire rural opportunity regions.

Reduces nonstate matching fund requirement from 100 percent to 25 percent of the state contribution for grant recipients.

Increases annual departmental spending authority for the program from $750,000 to $1,000,000 and raises maximum rural infrastructure grant funding from 30 percent to 50 percent of total project costs.

Requires contracts exceeding $35,000 to be posted on websites 14 days before execution with plain language summaries, including specified information on contract purpose, performance standards, budgets, and expenses.

Adds broadband Internet service improvements as eligible infrastructure projects in unserved or underserved rural communities when conducted through competitively selected partnerships with communications service dealers.

Directs the Department of Economic Opportunity to develop recommendations for a site readiness program for rural communities by December 1, 2018.