HomeMy WebLinkAbout042826 - Updates_ Washington Opportunity Zones 2_0ALERT: 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 - applications accepted until May 28
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Office of economic development and competitivenss | april 2026
Census tract designation nomination
Commerce now accepting applications
Opportunity Zones (OZs) are federally designated tracts meant to spur investment in undercapitalized communities. A revised program is being rolled out, and Commerce is accepting applications
to recommend designating new OZs in Washington state, through 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 28.
The new program features permanent changes to the policy’s geographic targeting criteria, incentive structure and reporting requirements.
The new program also tightens eligibility requirements, reducing the expected qualified OZ tracts by roughly 20%. Washington currently has 139 OZs across 36 counties and that number
will narrow to 99 OZs designated across the state.
After the application period closes, Governor Bob Ferguson will select up to 25% of eligible census tracts as opportunity zones and forward those to the U.S. Treasury during a 90-day
window that begins on July 1.
Visit the OZ program funding opportunity announcement <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.commerce.wa.gov%2Ffunding%2Fopportunity-zones-2-0-census-tract-designation-request-for-appli
cations%2F/1/0101019dd60cd8a8-986f4444-3aed-4158-9898-b5f38120d519-000000/TkZe7zn1nSBKw-QPgj_2hWCHzuZ5NwROE8b0b3Iag6k=452>
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Important dates
Tuesday, April 28: Application window opens
Thursday, May 7: Pre-proposal conferences
Thursday, May 21: Question and answer period closes
Thursday, May 28: Application window closes
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Final application, scoring criteria available for review
Commerce offers the application and scoring criteria available to help you prepare your community's OZ 2.0 nomination application.
* View and download the census tract nomination application (Word) <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdeptofcommerce.box.com%2Fs%2F7nzlxpcsfh2rhfrzkhea7x0pmh3vz1fw/1/0101019dd60cd8a8-9
86f4444-3aed-4158-9898-b5f38120d519-000000/XXrD7L4pBkidTDO1oFCIR2IYFaQmQ_xd8CTvU_17eSI=452>
* View and download the census tract designation scoring criteria (PDF) <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdeptofcommerce.box.com%2Fs%2Fcvqzbn10ivvlmbe0z7zpe5h6y5nqcxw2/1/0101019dd60cd8
a8-986f4444-3aed-4158-9898-b5f38120d519-000000/5nv28x7zchxbNW83g8zT_2aWq32VbTTz11rgouME7ug=452>
If you need any assistance with these materials please email us at OEDCProcurement@commerce.wa.gov <mailto:community.engagement@commerce.wa.gov> .
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FAQ: Learn more from past questions
These questions and answers have been compiled since the outset of this multi-month process to support Governor Ferguson in nominating eligible low-income census tracts in Washington
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/1/0101019dd60cd8a8-986f4444-3aed-4158-9898-b5f38
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________________________________
Keep in touch
This bulletin shares information about the Opportunity Zones program.
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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