Welcome

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) supports rural and non-metropolitan communities by facilitating resources for transportation planning and enhancing coordination and cooperation between state, regional, and local entities.

Advancing Transportation in Rural Communities

The Office of Policy Planning collaborates with FDOT’s District Offices to provide policy guidance and technical assistance to support transportation planning and project delivery in Florida’s rural and non-metropolitan communities. Activities include: 

• Working with rural governments to identify transportation needs and to align local priorities with statewide plans.
• Connecting rural communities to available funding programs and assisting in the development and delivery of priority projects.
• Providing the latest data, planning guidance, and project support to help local governments meet state and federal requirements.
• Facilitating project development through early and frequent coordination with rural governments.
• Reviewing and documenting FDOT’s process for cooperating with non-metropolitan local governments at least once every five years, as required by Title 23, United States Code of Federal Regulations, Section 450. The current version of this report is available here: A Review of FDOT's Nonmetropolitan Transportation Planning Process 2024.

By combining funding assistance, coordination, and technical expertise for the Districts, the Office of Policy Planning supports Florida’s rural transportation needs and helps move projects more efficiently from planning to implementation.

FDOT Rural Transportation Planning Resources

• Partnering with FDOT: Local Government Resource Guide
• Florida Transportation Plan
• Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) information
• Work Program/STIP Public Involvement Flowchart

Rural Transportation Funding Sources

• FDOT Local Programs office administrates available funding for construction and maintenance of Florida's rural transportation resources. These programs include:
• County Incentive Grant Program (CIGP)
• Small County Outreach Program (SCOP)
• Small County Outreach Program for Municipalities (SCOP-M)
• Small County Road Assistance Program (SCRAP)
• Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP)
• FDOT's Systems Implementation Office administers the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program through the Surface Transportation Block Grant.
• FDOT's Public Transit Office administers federal and state transit grants, including those specific to rural areas.
• FloridaCommerce offers rural transportation funding resources to the state's rural areas, including the:
• Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant
• Rural Infrastructure Fund
• US DOT Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES)
• US DOT Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA)

Rural Economic Development Initiative and FDOT Contacts

The Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) established in Section 288.0656, Florida Statutes, serves Florida's economically distressed rural communities by providing a more focused and coordinated effort among state and regional agencies that provide programs and services for rural areas. For more information, reach out to an FDOT District REDI Coordinator or contact the FloridaCommerce Office of Rural Initiatives. 

For more information on rural planning, contact the Office of Policy Planning at [email protected]