North Carolina Extends Public Feedback Window for Opportunity Zone Selections
In an effort to facilitate robust community involvement, the North Carolina Department of Commerce has extended the timeframe for public commentary on the state’s Opportunity Zone selections. This extension grants local authorities, economic bodies, and the public additional time to submit their feedback and recommendations regarding eligible census tracts.
The revised deadline for submissions is set for 11:59 pm on Sunday, June 21, 2026, allowing an extra two weeks for community insights.
“North Carolina’s Opportunity Zone nomination process is intentionally locally driven because local elected officials and community leaders have the strongest understanding of where investment can create lasting impact,” remarked N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. The extension aims to engage more local communities in identifying census tracts that hold the greatest potential for fostering housing, drawing investments, generating jobs, and bolstering long-term economic growth.
Out of 807 eligible low-income census tracts, North Carolina can nominate up to 202 for federal Opportunity Zone designation. These selected tracts will be eligible for federal tax incentives designed to spur long-term private investment. Public input plays a crucial role in aligning nominations with both state and local goals, such as business expansion, job creation, housing development, and community revitalization.
This decision follows Governor Josh Stein’s Executive Order No. 36, which emphasizes enhancing housing opportunities. The order instructs the Commerce Department to prioritize housing creation and support when selecting eligible tracts for Opportunity Zone designation, in sync with the guidelines and queries on the public feedback form.
Updated resources are now available on the Commerce Department’s website at commerce.nc.gov/oz, featuring detailed information on the nomination process, a map of the 807 eligible tracts, and a downloadable feedback form to be sent to the Department.
The U.S. Treasury is anticipated to approve the new Opportunity Zones within this year, with the designations becoming effective on January 1, 2027.
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