Revitalizing North Carolina: Public Invited to Help Shape New Opportunity Zones
The North Carolina Department of Commerce is extending an invitation to local authorities, economic development experts, and the general public to participate in shaping the future of the state’s Opportunity Zones. This initiative aims to identify which low-income census tracts have the greatest potential for attracting investment and fostering economic and housing development across the region, following direction from Governor Josh Stein.
“The Opportunity Zone program attracts dynamic capital investment into areas of the state that need it most,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “The renewal of this federal program will help us expand housing supply, spur community-driven development, and create new jobs in North Carolina.”
Initially established as part of a 2017 federal tax reform, the Opportunity Zone program permits states to designate up to 25% of their low-income census tracts as Opportunity Zones. These tracts, characterized by a poverty rate of at least 20% or a family income below 80% of the area’s median income, offer tax incentives to investors reinvesting unrealized capital gains. While the program was set to stop taking new investments post-2026, recent legislation under Public Law 119-21 has made the program permanent, with updates scheduled every decade.
During this new selection phase, North Carolina will nominate 202 tracts from a pool of 807 eligible low-income census tracts as Opportunity Zones. This process aims to align federal tax benefits with local economic goals, and the public is encouraged to consider specific guidelines for long-term economic success while providing feedback.
Business Development and Job Creation
- Census tracts that can attract or expand businesses in sectors like manufacturing, technology, and clean energy should be prioritized.
- Consideration should be given to tracts containing existing industrial sites recognized by the Commerce Department or the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC).
- Tracts with ongoing economic development projects that require further investment should also be considered.
Strategic Local Revitalization
- Focus on tracts that have well-documented local plans for community revitalization or have received recent investments in redevelopment projects.
Pathways to Increased Housing Supply in High Need Areas
- Identify tracts where Opportunity Zone status can boost housing supply, especially near employment centers, transit corridors, or areas with significant housing needs.
The Commerce Department has made additional details available on a dedicated webpage, commerce.nc.gov/oz. The page includes a map highlighting the 807 eligible tracts and provides access to a public feedback form. Comments are accepted from April 29, 2026, and the submission window closes at 11:59 p.m. on June 7, 2026.
The U.S. Treasury is expected to certify the new zones later this year, with implementation set for January 1, 2027.
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