Florida Governor's Office

Rural Areas of Critical Economic Concern

Rural Areas of Critical Economic Concern (RACEC) are defined as rural communities, or a region composed of rural communities, that have been adversely affected by extraordinary economic events or natural disasters.  The Governor by executive order may designate up to three RACECs, which establishes each region as a priority assignment for REDI agencies and allows the Governor to waive criteria of any economic development incentive including, but not limited to: the Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program under section 288.106 F.S., the Quick Response Training Program and the Quick Response Training Program for participants in the welfare transition program under section 288.047 F.S., transportation projects under section 288.063 F.S., the brownfield redevelopment bonus refund under section 288.107 F.S., and the rural job tax credit program under section 212.098 F.S. and section 220.1895 F.S.  

Florida's Designated RACECs  

  • Northwest Rural Area of Critical Economic Concern: Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Wakulla, and Washington counties, and the City of Freeport in Walton County.  To learn more about the Northwest RACEC region, please contact Opportunity Florida.
  • South Central Rural Area of Critical Economic Concern: DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, and Okeechobee counties, and the cities of Pahokee, Belle Glade, and South Bay (Palm Beach County), and Immokalee (Collier County).  For more information about the South Central RACEC region, please contact Florida's Heartland Regional Economic Development Initiative, Inc.
  • North Central Rural Area of Critical Economic Concern: Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Putnam, Suwannee, Taylor, and Union counties.  For more information about the North Central RACEC region, please contact North Florida Economic Development Partnership.

Note: To view Executive Orders and RACEC designation history please select "Executive Order" tab in the left sidebar.

Map of Florida's designated RACEC regions and Catalyst Sites.12-28-11 RACEC Map.pdf