HomeMy WebLinkAbout041026 - Washington Opportunity Zones Program 2_0 (OZ 2_0)ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Opportunity Zones 2.0 - Key dates and more
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Office of economic development and competitivenss | april 2026
OZ 2.0 update
Treasury issues final guidance on OZ-eligible census tracts
On Monday, April 6, the U.S. Treasury issued its determination of population census tracts eligible to be designated as opportunity zones (OZs).
Commerce has updated the Washington OZ 2.0-eligible census tract GIS map <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fexperience.arcgis.com%2Fexperience%2F035ad15299ae4a25ac7585d4d23ec309%2Fpage%
2FAll-Census-Tracts/1/0101019d78746541-e738e8b5-f352-4596-8823-7ef00fb2772c-000000/tKzAUqv0TlxGclMvIZP4kwSzLGxK6MqEXRMOhC0TD-4=452> to reflect the final guidance, with minimal change.
This map includes the OZ-eligible tracts that may be nominated by state governors (that is, state CEOs) to be designated as OZs, beginning January 1, 2027.
The federal government is responsible for establishing this eligibility criteria and any associated guidance. From that, each state designates up to 25% of eligible census tracts as
opportunity zones.
VISIT THE OZ program WEBSITE <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.commerce.wa.gov%2Fopportunity-zones%2F/1/0101019d78746541-e738e8b5-f352-4596-8823-7ef00fb2772c-000000/siTNTA8aFntnrW
jbLf4bryT8NBhjUtcvVqXdu2Ulbt8=452>
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Updated OZ 2.0 Program timeline
Our timeline has been adjusted and includes helpful informational webinars, as well as a new nomination application open and close period.
Wednesday, April 22 – 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Webinar with HUD featuring OZ 1.0 community case studies Register for and join the April 22 online conference <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2
F%2Fwastatecommerce.zoom.us%2Fmeeting%2Fregister%2F_K5oKGjyQHi68mb7Gh2AWA/1/0101019d78746541-e738e8b5-f352-4596-8823-7ef00fb2772c-000000/jwWbXe5V2c0p5Aez6G2HiqQvqq48b-e7Qnu07LiFPG0=452>
Monday, April 27 - 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Webinar with HUD featuring OZ 1.0 tribal communities case studies Join the April 27 online conference <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwas
tatecommerce.zoom.us%2Fj%2F81094538077%3Fpwd=dJ15uG8z28meRlohs2d6INROf859MW.1/1/0101019d78746541-e738e8b5-f352-4596-8823-7ef00fb2772c-000000/6WoDQOI0ltfhHHDq0p5WXh-J8MhgdkFN8Yhc5ZsAurY=452>
Tuesday, April 28 -- Application window opens
Thursday, May 7 – 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Pre-proposal conference (rural/non-rural communities) Register for and join the 9 a.m. May 7 online conference <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwas
tatecommerce.zoom.us%2Fmeeting%2Fregister%2F0JYMYo1iSDmaAfBE2e9NRg/1/0101019d78746541-e738e8b5-f352-4596-8823-7ef00fb2772c-000000/9BaNAIivwsYY-gmCZelvI-GMHsfZ6JlRa3Hn0sHTazU=452> .
Thursday, May 7 – 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Pre-proposal conference (tribal specific) Join the 11 a.m. May 7 online conference <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwastatecommerce.zoom.us%2Fj%2F
81665916310%3Fpwd=bhl6YYyYZ3EU2IyQLgNLglqApGxJ9o.1/1/0101019d78746541-e738e8b5-f352-4596-8823-7ef00fb2772c-000000/f9Avruvx46-bxqri69w9LB7Fr8D9IfY7diSXAk67mfk=452>
Thursday, May 28 -- Application window closes
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Prepare for your nomination application
Draft materials available
Commerce has final drafts of the application and scoring criteria available to help you prepare your community's OZ 2.0 nomination application when the platform to submit your application
opens on April 28.
View and download the census tract nomination application (MS Word document) <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdeptofcommerce.box.com%2Fs%2F7nzlxpcsfh2rhfrzkhea7x0pmh3vz1fw/1/0101019d
78746541-e738e8b5-f352-4596-8823-7ef00fb2772c-000000/uAmrRIStGyhEwQtfDOLyGggwyYejeegtjxCRxjZUcdk=452>
View and download the census tract designation scoring criteria (PDF) <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdeptofcommerce.box.com%2Fs%2Fcvqzbn10ivvlmbe0z7zpe5h6y5nqcxw2/1/0101019d78746541
-e738e8b5-f352-4596-8823-7ef00fb2772c-000000/1u8mtJa1pUbzuzlo6AbkwG7q3sRK9nFD_F8MTGreQTg=452>
If you need any assistance with these materials please email us at: Community.Engagement@commerce.wa.gov <mailto:community.engagement@commerce.wa.gov> .
________________________________
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Learn more from those with similar inquiries
These questions and answers have been compiled since the outset of this multi-month process to support Governor Bob Ferguson in nominating up to 25% of Washington’s eligible low-income
census tracts to be opportunity zones.
Read and download the oz 2.0 FAQs (PDF) <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdeptofcommerce.box.com%2Fs%2Fm8uhx2m8bcp7hcss24m4a4rhkmze9vac/1/0101019d78746541-e738e8b5-f352-4596-8823-7ef00
fb2772c-000000/7TcH7hcosVBIajTNuwUbxLdz9f1j_QN3DQnp1wRz4CY=452>
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Let's keep in touch.
This bulletin shares information about the Opportunity Zones program for those interested.
If you received a forwarded copy, you can subscribe now to receive periodic updates <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fpublic.govdelivery.com%2Faccounts%2FWADOC%2Fsignup%2F48708/1/01010
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If you have specific questions for the Opportunity Zones program team, email Community.Engagement@commerce.wa.gov <mailto:Community.Engagement@commerce.wa.gov> .
________________________________
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