Opportunity Zones provide three benefits with respect to local community and economic development.
They offer an ability to act as a convening agent for a diverse array of stakeholders in thinking about community-level investments.
Opportunity Zones additionally provide a tax incentive for capital gains.
They also provide preferential consideration in federal grants, loans, and technical assistance programs.
In this talk, head of the Economic Innovation Group, John Lettieri, talks about the "forgotten zip codes" across America, and how Opportunity Zones can allow them to thrive. John's career in public policy has included time in both the public and private sectors working with a diverse set of policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, and global business leaders.
Communities have seen all three of these benefits leveraged in a variety of ways to support a multitude of projects, from affordable housing and healthcare to small business development and renewable energy.
For communities to achieve the maximum benefit from the Opportunity Zone program, states and investors must be committed to the original intent of Opportunity Zones and endeavor to support impactful projects that incorporate community input and align with social impact goals.
Michael Saunders is an editor of TopGovernmentGrants.com. He edits a site on Community Foundations that highlights the Social Progress Index for Counties around the country and Opportunity Zones within these foundations' areas of coverage.
Additional Government Grants Resources
Developing and Strengthening Services and Systems that Support Family Cohesion and Respond to the Separation of Children in Democratic Republic of Congo USAID-DRC has established a program entitled Developing and Strengthening Services and Systems that Support Family Cohesion and Respond to the Separation of Children in Democratic Republic of Congo. Telehealth Resource Center Grant Program The Health Resources and Services Administration has recently constituted the establishment of the Telehealth Resource Center Grant Program, also referred to as the TRCGP. Keystone Home Loan Program For First Time Homebuyers in Pennsylvania The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, more commonly referred to as PHFA, is an independent agency that was established in the year 1972 in an effort to contribute to the provision of reasonable and affordable housing opportunities the elderly, persons and families of modest means, and people suffering from disabilities. Community College Tuition is Affordable Community colleges are local colleges that offer two year degrees and certifications. Students can take classes at community college and earn credits toward a two year or four year degree program. C... Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Training and Technical Assistance Program In line with this mission, the Office of Justice Programs has recently established the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Training and Technical Assistance Program (JMHCP), wherein it seeks to increase public safety by encouraging collaboration between criminal justice, juvenile justice, and mental health and substance abuse treatment systems. Business Loans From GovLoans The government has launched innumerable programs that are all geared towards the achievement of this goal. Some of these programs involve the provision of technical assistance, training sessions, and strategies that would potentially help business owners in marketing their products and in expanding their businesses. First Time Homebuyer Programs in Arkansas The Arkansas Development Finance Authority was primarily created to develop safe, decent and affordable housing for low and moderate income Arkansans. The authority's primary goal is to administer funding in the form of tax exempt bonds and other debt instruments through several programs which are divided into three main categories: Economic Development, Homeownership, and Affordable Rental Housing.
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