Rural Community Investment Fund (RCIF)

The Rural Community Investment Fund (RCIF) is a state-funded grant program established by the Idaho State Legislature in 2001 as part of the Rural Initiative to support economic development and job creation in rural areas. Administered by the Idaho Department of Commerce, RCIF provides financial assistance to eligible communities to improve public infrastructure systems and facilitate private-sector business growth and job retention or creation. Eligible applicants include cities with populations under 25,000, counties with rural areas or unincorporated communities, and tribal governments for projects located on reservation land or that deliver measurable rural benefits. Applicants must hold a public hearing, demonstrate project readiness and job commitments, and may only apply once per quarterly cycle. Entities with unresolved audit findings or performance issues from prior grant programs are ineligible. Joint applications and sub-grants to approved sub-recipients such as economic development districts are permitted under certain conditions. The RCIF funds a broad range of infrastructure-related economic development activities. These include the extension or construction of water, wastewater, and utility lines; transportation and telecommunication infrastructure; the acquisition and construction of buildings for lease or sale to businesses; and real estate improvements for business development. RCIF may also support professional services and administrative activities not exceeding five percent of the total grant. The program prohibits use of funds for school or government buildings, political purposes, religious structures, or general operating and maintenance costs. Grants range from $50,000 to $500,000, with a typical annual allocation of $400,000 for all awards. There is no fixed matching requirement, but applicants are encouraged to demonstrate local financial commitment. All purchases must follow state procurement codes, and awardees are reimbursed only after expenses are incurred and approved. Any project requesting reimbursement must be supported with invoices and documentation that align with program requirements. Applications are reviewed quarterly on the third Monday of March, June, September, and December by the Idaho Department of Commerce and the Economic Advisory Council. Evaluation criteria include job creation, community need, long-term economic impact, local support, and project feasibility. For more information or application assistance, applicants can contact Idaho Commerce at (208) 334-2470 or visit the program’s website. Regional specialists are also available for consultation.

Contact regional specialist prior to applying; match is not required but critical for competitiveness; application must include all threshold elements; unresolved audit or performance issues disqualify applicants.