Can Opportunity Zones Aid Distressed Neighborhoods?

The federal 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act created a new program that is supposed to spur long-term, transformative investments in low-income communities throughout the United States.

With the right regulations and guardrails in place, Opportunity Zones might catalyze inclusive economic growth in some of the nation’s most distressed neighborhoods. However, less ambitious guidelines might instead fuel investment in already gentrifying areas while too ambitious guidelines might further stymie desired improvements. This presentation and panel discussion will provide an overview of the Opportunity Zone initiative, with a focus on whether and how the initiative might achieve its backers’ ambitious goals.