S.C. Commerce recently announced the opening of the Rural Development Initiative (RDI) annual grant program. This new initiative will support implementation-ready projects that strengthen South Carolina's rural communities and help position these regions for long-term prosperity.
Eligible county governments are invited to submit implementation-ready projects through a competitive application process designed to strengthen rural communities through strategic public investment.
The application window for the inaugural RDI funding round opens Sept. 1, 2026. The application deadline is Oct. 30, 2026.