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SEARCH - Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households in Florida

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What does this program do?

This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects.

Who may apply?

  • Most state and local governmental entities
  • Nonprofits
  • Federally recognized tribes

What is an eligible area?

Areas to be served must be rural and financially distressed:

  • Rural areas with a population of 2,500 or less
  • Have a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80 percent of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income based on latest Census data

How may the funds be used?

To pay predevelopment planning costs, including:

  • Feasibility studies to support applications for funding water or waste disposal projects
  • Preliminary design and engineering analysis
  • Technical assistance for the development of an application for financial assistance

Are there additional requirements?

The predevelopment planning costs must be related to a proposed project that meets the following requirements:

  • Construct, enlarge, extend or improve rural water, sanitary sewage, solid waste disposal and storm wastewater disposal facilities
  • Construct or relocate public buildings, roads, bridges, fences or utilities, and to make other public improvements necessary for the successful operation or protection of facilities
  • Relocate private buildings, roads, bridges, fences, or utilities, and other private improvements necessary for the successful operation or protection of facilities

How do we get started?

  • Applications for this program are accepted year round through your local RD office.
  • Program resources are available online (i.e., forms, guidance, certifications, etc.).

What governs this program?

  • Code of Federal Regulations, Title 7, Part 1774 - 7 CFR 1774
  • Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act

Why does USDA Rural Development do this?

To help very small, financially distressed rural communities extend and improve water and waste treatment facilities that serve local households and businesses.

NOTE: Please select your state in the dropdown menu above to find the state office contact information and speak to a program specialist before attempting to fill out any forms or applications. This will save you time in completing your application.

National Architect Requirements:

There are no other architect, engineering or environmental requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above. 

There are no other additional requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above.

Most loans and grants are originated and/or serviced in the Area Office. Please contact the Area Office that services your County or Town. See our: Florida County Map. Please contact the USVI St. Croix Office for all of the USVI.

 

CRESTVIEW AREA OFFICE
Jeffrey Archer, Area Director
3070 Adora Teal Way, Suite C, Crestview, FL 32539
Work phone: 850-682-2416
Business cell: 850-333-2031
Fax: 855-473-8755
Counties served: Escambia, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton.

MARIANNA AREA OFFICE
Loria Phillips, Area Director
2741 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 5, Marianna, FL 32448
Work phone: 850-526-2610
Business cell: 850-317-6572
Fax: 855-474-6969
Counties served: Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla and Washington.

LAKE CITY AREA OFFICE
Bruni Robles, Area Director
971 W Duval St, Suite 190, Lake City, FL 32055
Work phone: 386-719-5590
Business cell: 386-365-9576
Fax: 855-474-6983
Counties served: Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Duval, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Nassau, Suwannee, St. Johns, Taylor and Union.

OCALA AREA OFFICE
Stephanie Hodges, Area Director
2441 NE 3rd Street, Suite 204-1, Ocala, FL 34470
Work phone: 352-732-7534
Business cell: 352-843-0042
Fax: 855-474-6990
Counties served: Alachua, Citrus, Dixie, Flagler, Gilchrist, Lake, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia.

CHAMPIONS GATE AREA OFFICE
Angela Smith, Area Director 
8390 Champions Gate Blvd, Suite 210, Champions Gate, FL 33896
Work phone: 863-420-4833
Fax: 855-474-8230
Counties served: Brevard, Hernando, Hillsborough, Indian River, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk.

ROYAL PALM BEACH AREA OFFICE **(see Sub Office information)
Ada Rivera, Area Director 
420 South State Road 7, Suite 166, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33414
Work phone: 561-792-2727
Fax: 855-475-4827

**N. Ft. Myers (Sub Office of Royal Palm Beach)
Ada Rivera, Area Director 
3434 Hancock Bridge Pkwy., Suite 209-A, N. Ft. Myers, FL 33903
Work phone: 239-997-7331
Fax: 855-475-8043
Counties served from Royal Palm Beach and North Fort Myers: Broward, Dade, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Martin, Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota.

ST. CROIX U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AREA OFFICE
Kimme Bryce, Area Director
4401 Sion Farm, Ste. #2, Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00820
Work phone: 340-773-9146
Business cell: 340-201-4211
Fax: 855-475-6940
Locations served: St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas.

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