Executive Order 26-56 Amending Rural Area of Opportunity Designation

FL Governor Executive Orders

Published March 5th, 2026

Detected March 10th, 2026

Summary

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 26-56, amending Executive Order 23-132 to include Nassau County within the state's Rural Area of Opportunity. This amendment is effective immediately and applies all terms of the original designation to Nassau County.

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What changed

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued Executive Order 26-56, which amends Executive Order 23-132 to include Nassau County in the state's Rural Area of Opportunity. This designation, originally established on June 16, 2023, and set to expire on June 11, 2028, now formally incorporates Nassau County. The order specifies that all terms and conditions of Executive Order 23-132 apply to Nassau County as if it were initially included, with no retrospective effect.

This amendment is effective immediately. While the order itself does not impose new direct obligations on regulated entities, it may affect eligibility for state programs or incentives previously limited to the original Rural Area of Opportunity counties. Compliance officers should note the inclusion of Nassau County for any relevant state-level economic development or rural support initiatives. No specific compliance deadlines or penalties are mentioned in this executive order.

What to do next

Review Executive Order 23-132 and Executive Order 26-56 to understand the full scope of the Rural Area of Opportunity designation.
Assess potential impacts on state program eligibility or incentives for entities operating in or considering Nassau County.

Source document (simplified)

STATE OF FLO RIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 26-56 (Rural Area of Opportunity - Amending Executive Order Number 23-132) WHEREAS, on June 16, 2023, I issued Executive Order 23-132, redesignating Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Putnam, Suwannee, Taylor, and Union as a Rural Area of Opportunity for a period of five years; and WHEREAS, the current re-designation will expire on June 11, 2028; and WHEREAS, Nassau County is a "rural community," as that term is defined in section 288.0656(e), Florida Statutes; and WHEREAS, an amendment is necessary to include Nassau County within the Rural Area of Opportunity set forth pursuant to my Executive Order 23-132; NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me oy Article IV, Section l(a), Florida Constitution, and section 288.0656(7), Florida Statutes, issue the following Executive Order: Section 1. The area within the boundaries of Nassau County is included within the Rural Area of Opportunity set forth pursuant to my Executive Order 23-132. Section 2. All the terms set forth in my Executive Order 23-132 apply to Nassau County as if Nassau County were included therein; provided, however that no provision of this Executive Order may be construed to operate retrospectively.

Section .3. Except as explicitly set forth herein, no other provision of Executive Order 23-132 is modified or amended hereby. Section 4. This Executive Order is effective immediately. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, this 5th day of March, 2026. ATTEST: a ""-lrr·1 ,:;;)--1-u I".:> ►> C7' :x ....,~ ::u , -"I > ► -:,t• :::0 :Cf~ I -l>z CJ1 s cn-1 me,no :JC~"Tl.. (./) <:!I C,..,,-I,)> C-I -J,,,