North Florida Economic Development Partnership (NDEDP) serves as the regional advocacy organization helping communities pursue inclusion in the State-designated Rural Area of Opportunity (RAO) program. The City Manager is proposing that we become a member organization. Engaging with NFEDP positions the City to advocate for inclusion in the next RAO cycle in 2027/28, which would improve eligibility for key infrastructure funding and grant opportunities such as the FDOT’s Small County Outreach Program- Municipalities (SCOP-M), where RAO municipalities are routinely receiving $500K for street paving with no cost share/ match requirement. Mr. Jeff Hendy, who facilitated our Strategic Plan process, serves as the Executive Director of the NFEDP and is a big advocate for Keystone Heights.

Motion to authorize the city to become a member of the North Florida Economic Development Partnership