SB 600-Relating to Rural Economic Development Initiative 
On Monday, March 13th, SB 600, relating to Rural Economic Development Initiative, by Senator Denise Grimsley (R-Lake Placid) was heard by the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism and passed by a vote of 8 yeas to 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this bill.

Currently, Florida’s rural communities are experiencing additional challenges compared to their urban counterparts in many quality of life indicators. The state has an opportunity to improve the economic competitiveness of Florida’s rural communities by reforming the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI).  This legislation accomplishes this by:

• Focusing the mission of REDI on challenges rural communities face in the areas of workforce development and education, infrastructure, and access to healthcare;
• Streamlining REDI membership to ensure decision makers are at the table; and
• Making REDI a real tool for rural communities as they navigate through the red tape of state government.
  
  

SB 600 will now go to the Senate Committee on Agriculture for its second hearing.

AIF SUPPORTS efforts to increase economic development in Florida’s rural areas by increasing job growth.