Florida and Virgin Islands

Statutory SEC. 343 [7 U.S.C. 1991] (a)(13)(D) authorizes the Rural Development Under
Secretary to, on the petition of a unit of local government, determine that a part of an area be
considered rural in character (RIC) and therefore meet Rural Development’s population
eligibility requirements. This notice must take place no later than 30 days after receipt of the 
petition or the commencement of the initiative, as appropriate. 

To be considered for the rural in character determination, an area must fall into one of two
categories:

1. an urbanized area with two points on its boundary that are at least 40 miles apart and
that is not adjacent to a city or town with a population greater than 150,000, and/or

2. an urbanized area adjacent to a city or town with a population greater than 50,000 that
is within ¼ mile of a rural area.

USDA Rural Development has received the following applications in consideration for Rural in 
Character designations:

• Florida: 2247 Marquette Ave, Sanford, FL 32773
• Montana: 3300 Raser Dr, Missoula, MT 59808

For more information, or if you have questions, contact Robert Canepa at robert.canepa@usda.gov.

View notice here