Unlike rural areas in other states, Florida's rural counties offers close proximity to strategic business resources, a wealth of business opportunities, an outstanding quality of life and plenty of available land. In fact, these counties are hardly “rural” given that each is no farther than an hour away from an airport, large city or a college (map). Moreover, Florida is home to some of the best small towns in the U.S. Florida's small towns provide some advantages that are not easily found in other small towns across the U.S.

Some of the unique advantages of Florida’s rural communities include:
• Fast growing and highly motivated labor force with strong work ethics
• Cost-effective environment for business
• Available land
• Economically vibrant and accessible communities than in other states’ rural areas
• Lack of congestion
• Environmentally pristine environments

• Small towns ranked among the best to live in the U.S.
• Eligibility for special financial incentives

Rural Economic Development Catalyst Project
The State's leadership is actively involved in developing Florida's rural areas. It recently designated three rural areas of Florida for a specific revitalization initiative called the Rural Economic Development Catalyst Project.

Florida’s Rural Areas of Critical Economic Concern (RACEC) are regions comprised of rural communities that have been adversely affected by extraordinary economic events or natural disasters. The designation of the three RACECs in Florida allows these regions certain provisions for economic development initiatives such as waived criteria and requirements for economic development programs. Additionally, funding is provided to the regions to help perform economic research, site selection, and marketing to produce a catalytic economic opportunity and a site in each RACEC designated for targeted economic development.

The Rural Economic Development Catalyst Project will target tomorrow’s industries with the goal of creating high value-added jobs, capital investment, and an economic ripple throughout each RACEC.