HomeMy WebLinkAboutWORKSHOP re Opportunity Zones 2.0
1
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Josh D. Peters, County Administrator
David Ballif, Executive Director, EDC Team Jefferson
DATE: March 9, 2026
SUBJECT: WORKSHOP re: Opportunity Zones 2.0
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Opportunity Zones (OZs) are federally designated tracts meant to spur investment in undercapitalized
communities. A revised program is being rolled out, designating new opportunity zones, referred to as
Opportunity Zones 2.0 (OZ 2.0). The Washington State Department of Commerce is hosting a multi-month
process to support Governor Ferguson in nominating up to 25% of Washington’s eligible low-income census
tracts to be opportunity zones.
An application portal for OZ selection starts on March 10 and closes on April 10. Economic Development
Council (EDC) Team Jefferson Executive Director David Ballif will present information to the Board
relating to the potential for Jefferson County in the OZ 2.0 process. Time allowing, Mr. Ballif could also
review other economic development tools that could be used in place of or in addition to the OZ program.
ANALYSIS:
Background on OZ 2.0: www.commerce.wa.gov/opportunity-zones
Reliance on median family income (MFI) within Census Tracts for determining OZ precludes the Census
Tracts where Port Hadlock and Glen Cove are located. Mr. Ballif will provide an overview of the new
eligibility requirements in this workshop.
• Map with likely eligible census tracts: https://www.novoco.com/resource-centers/opportunity-zones-
resource-center/novogradac-opportunity-zones-20-mapping-tool
• Jefferson-Clallam Opportunity Zone Consortium website, "Emerald Coast Opportunity
Zone": https://www.emeraldfunds.org/
• An interview conducted by Jefferson's consortium partner re: Opportunity
Zones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgAdWS9znIY&list=PL-
Xl__gUNbHoZoz7pnSv7iVmAbqsX8Snh&index=7
2
FISCAL IMPACT:
According to Commerce, OZs have shown they spark private investment across an array of low-income
communities.
RECOMMENDATION:
Listen to the presentation, ask questions, and provide input to EDC Team Jefferson regarding OZ 2.0.
REVIEWED BY:
______________________________________ ________________
Josh D. Peters, County Administrator Date
3/5/2026