The Opportunity Zone Initiative, a hallmark of President Trump’s first administration, remains one of the most transformative economic development programs in American history. As emphasized by President Trump, this initiative has driven over $85 billion in private investment into distressed communities, many of which are majority-minority areas historically overlooked by investors. Unlike traditional government-led revitalization efforts that often lead to gentrification and displacement, Opportunity Zones empower local economies while ensuring long-term, sustainable growth. The initiative is not merely about development—it is a mission to restore the American Dream for all citizens, regardless of zip code. President Trump has called Opportunity Zones the single greatest economic development program ever, underscoring their unprecedented impact in creating jobs, spurring entrepreneurship, and building thriving communities. The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) continues to champion the expansion of this initiative, advocating for policies that sustain and grow the economic opportunities that Opportunity Zones have unlocked.
Team
Jack Brewer
Chair, Center for Opportunity Now and Vice Chair, Center for 1776
Alexandra Caro Campana
Director, Center for 1776 & Center for Opportunity Now
Abi Dills
Project Manager for Athletes for America and Policy Analyst, Center for Opportunity Now
Shay Hawkins
Deputy Director for Opportunity Zones, Center for Opportunity Now & Center for American Prosperity
Aaron Hedlund, Ph.D.
Director of Research; Senior Advisor, Center for America Prosperity
Jill Homan
Advisor for Opportunity Zones, Center for Opportunity Now & Center for American Prosperity
Scott Singer
Fellow, Center for Economy and Trade
Latest
Fact Sheet
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February 27, 2025
Opportunity Zones are Revitalizing Forgotten Communities
In 2017, President Donald J. Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law, which designated 8,764 economically distressed communities across the country as Opportunity Zones (OZs).
In OZs, investors can establish Qualified Opportunity Funds to invest in local projects and businesses.
Issue Brief
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February 27, 2025
Opportunity Zones 2.0: The Next Chapter of Rebuilding America’s Forgotten Communities
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made many significant prosperity-enhancing reforms to the tax code, but arguably, no provision is proving more game-changing and consequential for America’s struggling and forgotten communities than the pioneering Opportunity Zones (OZ) policy.
Fact Sheet
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February 27, 2025
Rebuilding America’s Left Behind Communities with Opportunity Zones
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act created Opportunity Zones (OZs), which designated nearly 8,800 distressed communities (i.e., census tracts) across America as eligible for a suite of tax incentives to encourage private investment, job growth, and greater housing affordability.
Issue Brief
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February 27, 2025
Expanding Rural Opportunity Zone Investment
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (Pub. L. No. 115-97) created a new tool for community development called Opportunity Zones (OZs). These zones aim to reinvigorate struggling communities through tax incentives to encourage greater private investment.
Issue Brief
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February 27, 2025
Enhancing Housing Affordability through Opportunity Zones
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act created the Opportunity Zones (OZ) program, which designated nearly 8,800 distressed communities (census tracts) across America as OZs. The program offers robust tax incentives to people who roll over capital gains from prior investments into Qualified Opportunity Funds (QOFs) that invest in businesses and properties in OZs.