EZ/EC Special Initiative
Designated Communities
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Enterprise, Champion and Rural Advancement Communities
 (There are no federal designated RURAL Empowerment Zones in Florida **** For URBAN EZs see HUD.gov)
Enterprise Community:– This is an initiative of the Federal Government to address severe poverty and economic distress in our Nation’s rural communities. This initiative applies a comprehensive approach to community development. It is designed to match public resources to the needs identified by the community. The goal is to create conditions for sustainable community development by the end of the 10-year federal partnership. Enterprise Communities receive grant funds over their ten-year EC designation term to assist in sustainable development. They also receive higher priority for some USDA RD loan/grants and other Federal and State funds. Florida has one Enterprise Communities: Empowerment Alliance of Southwest Florida.

Champion Communities –These are communities that have competed for the Enterprise Community designation but were not selected. However, they have been given "Champion Community" status. This allows them higher priority when applying for USDA RD and other State & Federal dollars, special technical assistance from USDA Rural Development for purposes of enhancing capacity building within community organizations, and for implementation of their strategic plan. Champion Communities in the State of Florida include census tracks found in Gadsden, Madison, Hamilton, Putnam, Highlands, Hardee, DeSoto, and Glades counties.

Rural Advancement Communities (RAC) – The RAC initiative is designed to match public resources to the needs identified by the community. Its goal is to create conditions of sustainable community development by the end of a five to ten year partnership with the community. The communities that have received this designation will receive technical assistance from Rural Development, help in developing and implementing a strategic plan which recognizes a number of locally identified and prioritized needs for community and economic development that are important goals for the residents of the community. RAC designation includes the entire county. The communities that have received RAC designation are: Gulf, Madison, Taylor and Hardee Counties

*Proposals for a new Round of EZ/EC Designations are not being accepted currently. The EZ/EC initiative is not a program that offers yearly funding opportunities unless a community is already designated an EZ/EC from past Rounds of competition.

Supported Community Contacts
(Click on link to see contact information for all the designated areas)
 
 

 

 

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Helpful Community Development Resource Links:
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund
 Community Development Society
International Economic Development Council
Internet Nonprofit Center
 National Association of Counties
 National Association of Development Organizations
National Community Building Network
National Rural Development Partnership
Rural Community Assistance Corporation