The Rural Community Investment Fund (RCIF) is a state-funded grant program established by the Idaho State Legislature in 2001. It is part of Idaho's Rural Initiative, designed to support economic growth and job creation in rural areas across the state. The program is administered by Idaho Commerce and prioritizes community infrastructure and economic development that directly benefit rural communities.

The RCIF program specifically targets cities with populations under 25,000, counties with countywide projects that benefit rural areas, and tribal communities for projects on reservation land or those with measurable rural impacts. One of the key restrictions is that the sole beneficiary of any project must not be a large city. Applicants falling into the eligible categories can also sub-grant funds to sub-recipients approved by Idaho Commerce, expanding the reach and flexibility of the program.

Eligible activities under RCIF include the extension of infrastructure such as streets, water and sewer lines, and utilities to support new business or industrial park developments. It also covers the acquisition or construction of buildings for business use and the provision of necessary upgrades to telecommunications, power, gas, and rail services to facilitate business expansion. Notably, projects involving city halls and schools are explicitly excluded from eligibility.

Grants awarded under this program range from $50,000 to $500,000, and while a local funding match is required, no specific match percentage is mandated. Applicants are encouraged to consult Idaho Commerce before preparing their applications to ensure alignment with program goals and compliance with requirements.

Evaluation of applications is based on several criteria, including the project's potential impact on distressed areas, job creation in terms of number and quality, long-term economic sustainability, level of community support, and the readiness and structure of project financing. This multifaceted review ensures that funded projects are both viable and beneficial to rural Idaho communities.

Interested applicants are advised to reach out to the RCIF team at Idaho Commerce for guidance. The contact number provided is 208-334-2470. No specific deadlines, open dates, or award dates are listed in the current documentation, suggesting applicants may need to inquire directly for timeline specifics or ongoing cycle information.