Opportunity Zones Podcast

Are Opportunity Zones about to shrink nationwide? Join me for a live deep dive into my new analysis of how the new House bill would result in 22% fewer OZ designations. I'll walk through the latest data, the newly proposed eligibility rules, and what it all means for investors, communities, and the future of OZs. Featuring a state-by-state breakdown and my top policy recommendation. Read the full article: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/05/oz-house-bill-analysis/

Congress has officially unveiled its draft legislation for Opportunity Zones 2.0—what’s in it, and what’s missing? In this episode, Jimmy Atkinson is joined by Jason Watkins of Novogradac to break down the brand new OZ provisions released by the House Ways and Means Committee as part of a larger tax package. They discuss how the proposal would reshape Opportunity Zone designations, introduce rural incentives, and impact timelines for investors and developers. They also highlight key omissions—like interim gains relief and fund-of-funds eligibility—and raise concerns about a potential 2026 “capital freeze” unless major changes are made. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/05/oz-legislation-343/

Jimmy Atkinson hosts the May 2025 edition of Opportunity Zones Office Hours, diving into the latest updates on OZ legislation, reform ideas under discussion, and key timelines for potential extension or renewal of the program. He also answers live questions about fund structuring, working capital compliance, census tract remapping, and OZ investing strategies. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/05/ozoh-342/

OZ NewsHour episode for April 2025: Budget reconciliation is underway, and new Opportunity Zone legislation now officially has a green light to move forward. Plus, Novogradac has released new QOF survey data, and OZ Insiders is gearing up to host a networking dinner in Los Angeles. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/04/oznh-apr-2025/

In the age of supply chain insecurity, one Opportunity Zone project is bringing cobalt processing—and critical jobs—back to U.S. soil. Gil Michel-Garcia of EVelution Energy joins the show to discuss how OZs are helping to power a major industrial comeback via a $322 million cobalt processing facility being developed in Arizona. Backed by OZ equity and driven by federal policy—including President Trump’s recent executive order on critical minerals—this project is onshoring a vital part of America's supply chain for electric vehicles, battery storage, and national defense. Show notes & episode summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/04/gil-michel-garcia-341/

As Congress unlocks the path for major tax legislation, Opportunity Zone leaders gather in Park City, Utah to shape what comes next. Recorded live at the “Yellow Brick Road to QOZ 2.0” summit, Jimmy Atkinson is joined by Jim Lang of Greenberg Traurig to break down the biggest takeaways from the event. They discuss the policy priorities gaining traction for OZ 2.0, including a 10-year extension, rolling deferral, expanded eligibility, and strategies to bring banks and operating businesses into the ecosystem. Plus: insights on rural investment, national security industries, and how stakeholders can help influence upcoming legislation. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/04/jim-lang-340/

What would an Opportunity Zones 2.0 look like—and what do investors actually want? Jill Homan from the America First Policy Institute joins the show from the site of The Yellow Brick Road To QOZ 2.0 Event in Park City, UT, to discuss the results of a new investor survey and explore the leading proposals on the table for OZ legislation in 2025. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/04/jill-homan-339/

On this month’s live episode of OZ Office Hours, OpportunityZones.com founder Jimmy Atkinson discusses the upcoming Yellow Brick Road To OZ 2.0 conference in Park City, plus how the Senate's recent budget vote may impact tax legislation and OZs in the coming weeks and months. Join Jimmy the first Monday of every month at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, to get your Opportunity Zones questions answered live. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/04/ozoh-338/

Trump's recent budget win has sparked renewed enthusiasm for new Opportunity Zones legislation in 2025. Plus, OZ Pitch Day attracted a record audience, proving the program's growing popularity among investors. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/03/oznh-mar-2025/

A big Opportunity Zones event coming to Park City, UT next month is set to be the premier gathering for Opportunity Zone investors and other stakeholders ahead of much anticipated OZ 2.0 legislation. Jim Lang of Greenberg Traurig join the show to discuss what attendees can expect, how the OZ market has evolved since its inception, and why upcoming legislative changes will define the program’s future. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/03/jim-lang-337/

Multifamily real estate development has become the dominant strategy in Opportunity Zones, and with a nationwide housing shortage, the demand for new projects is stronger than ever. Jeff Tompkins and Joseph Julian of Altes Capital join the show to discuss their approach to OZ investing, the role of workforce housing, and why now may be the right time for investors to take advantage of Opportunity Zone incentives. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/03/altes-336/

With hundreds of thousands of housing units developed and billions of dollars in capital raised, Opportunity Zones have become a major force in real estate. But how do investors find the best projects? Todd Vitzthum, president at ACARA, joins the show to discuss the evolution of Opportunity Zone investing, the role of development in OZ projects, and the launch of OZ Listings, a new marketplace designed to connect investors with high-quality OZ deals. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/03/todd-vitzthum-335/

President Trump has big plans for Opportunity Zones legislation in 2025. Extending and renewing the OZ incentive is part of his broader tax cuts agenda for his second term in the White House. And with the House passing their 2025 budget resolution last month, the stage is set to accomplish just that. This panel discussion was recorded live at OZ Pitch Day on March 6, 2025, featuring Jimmy Atkinson of OpportunityZones.com, Emily Lavery of Fulcrum Public Affairs, and Peter Lawrence of Novogradac & Company. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/03/ozpd-trump-legislation-334/

On this month’s live episode of OZ Office Hours, OpportunityZones.com founder Jimmy Atkinson explains what's next for Opportunity Zones legislation after the House passed their 2025 budget bill. Plus, Jimmy takes live OZ questions from the audience. Join Jimmy the first Monday of every month at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, to get your Opportunity Zones questions answered live. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/03/ozoh-333/

President Donald J. Trump just said that Opportunity Zones are "probably the number one economic development project ever." Plus, two more OZ champions join the Administration, and Jimmy highlights the upcoming OZ Pitch Day agenda. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/02/oznh-feb-2025/

Opportunity Zones have driven over $150 billion in investment into underdeveloped areas, but their future depends on Congressional action. Jonathan Tower, founder and CEO of Arctaris Impact Investors, joins the show to discuss the next phase of Opportunity Zone policy, the role of public-private partnerships, and the investment strategies that can maximize both impact and returns. Show notes & episode summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/02/jonathan-tower-332/

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Raising capital for an Opportunity Zone project isn't easy. Plus, there are numerous legal complexities to consider if you want to avoid potential civil and criminal penalties. Andrew Doup, founder of SyndicationCounsel, joins the show to discuss how OZ project sponsors and investors can protect themselves legally by making appropriate SEC filings, disclosing material risks in PPMs, and more. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/02/andrew-doup-331/

On this month’s live episode of OZ Office Hours, OpportunityZones.com founder Jimmy Atkinson explains how Trump's tariffs on imported goods from Canada, Mexico, and China will impact Opportunity Zone investors. Plus, Jimmy takes live questions from the audience. Join Jimmy the first Monday of every month at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, to get your Opportunity Zones questions answered live. Show notes & transcript: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/02/ozoh-330/

As Trump's second Administration began last week, the OZ industry's lobbying effort kicked into high gear, with op-eds, articles, letters and more. Plus: Jimmy shows off his new studio (with a minor technical glitch), and Andy tips his cap to Melania's inauguration wardrobe. Show notes: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/01/oznh-jan-2025/

Opportunity Zones aren't just about tax benefits. They're about creating a better future, both for investors and communities. Noelle St.Clair Lentz, CEO at Allivate Impact Capital, joins the show to discuss how her firm is driving innovative investments that elevate communities and foster entrepreneurship. Show notes & transcript: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/01/noelle-lentz-329/

Here's why 2025 is a do-or-die year for Opportunity Zones. Plus, OpportunityZones.com founder Jimmy Atkinson takes live questions from the audience. Show notes: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/01/ozoh-328/

Opportunity Zones are in danger of ending. Will President Trump save them in 2025? In this webinar, Jimmy Atkinson details how Congress and President Trump will work together to both extend and renew the Opportunity Zone tax incentive in 2025… before it's too late, including eight new ideas that are being considered to improve the OZ legislation. Show notes & transcript: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/12/legislation-webinar-327/

Trump makes several OZ-friendly picks. Plus, our annual holiday gift guide for that special OZ someone in your life.

The future of Opportunity Zones hangs in the balance. With Trump as President and a Republican Congress, will the tax policy be extended and renewed in 2025? This panel discussion was presented live at OZ Pitch Day on November 14, 2024, featuring Catherine Lyons of the Economic Innovation Group and Jill Homan of Javelin 19 Investments. Moderated by Jimmy Atkinson of OpportunityZones.com. Show notes & transcript: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/12/legislation-panel-326/

Join Jimmy Atkinson on YouTube the first Monday of every month at 3 PM Eastern Time, to get your Opportunity Zones questions answered live.

To date, Capital Square has nine different Opportunity Zone multifamily building projects in various states of development. When completed, these projects will have created roughly 2,000 new residential units in Opportunity Zones located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Capital Square's co-CEOs Louis Rogers and Whit Huffman join the show to discuss how their OZ fund management strategy has evolved over the years since their first OZ project launched in 2019. Show notes & transcript: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/11/louis-rogers-whit-huffman-324/

Donald Trump won a decisive victory in the Presidential election. Does that mean an OZ extension is a “lock”? Plus: Jimmy provides a recap of the 2024 Novogradac Opportunity Zones Summit, and the team at OpportunityZones.com has released a groundbreaking new survey. Show notes: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/11/oznh-nov-2024/

Last week, Novogradac hosted their annual Opportunity Zones Summit, a convening of key OZ stakeholders and professionals. Mike Novogradac, managing partner at Novogradac & Company, joins the show from the conference site in Washington DC to discuss the optimistic outlook for the Opportunity Zones incentive following the recent election results, and the potential impact on future tax legislation and program extensions. Show notes & transcript: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/11/mike-novogradac-323/

Donald Trump has won a second Presidential term. And with control of the Senate and House, tax legislation in 2025 looks very likely to extend and possibly renew Opportunity Zones. Mr. Ashley Tison of OZPros joins the show from the site of the Novogradac 2024 OZ Summit in Washington DC to discuss the election outcome and timing of potentially sweeping Opportunity Zone reform in 2025. Show notes & transcript: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/11/ashley-tison-322/

Unlike more traditional Opportunity Zone Funds that focus on real estate, The Wyoming Reserve is centered around a secure vault operation that holds precious metals, specifically gold and silver, in an Opportunity Zone in Casper, Wyoming. In this sponsored fireside chat, Josh Phair, CEO of The Wyoming Reserve, discusses what makes The Wyoming Reserve truly unique among Opportunity Zone investments. Show notes & transcript: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/11/josh-phair-321/

Join Jimmy Atkinson on YouTube the first Monday of every month at 3 PM Eastern Time, to get your Opportunity Zones questions answered live.

Build-for-rent properties are newly constructed homes that are purpose-built for renting, and they just may be the next big thing in residential real estate. Leo Backer, Jill Homan, and Mike Nolan join the show to discuss the launch of their new Build-to-Rent Opportunity Zone Fund in this investor webinar sponsored by Pinnacle Partners and Trilogy Investment Company. Show notes & transcript: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/10/pinnacle-partners-319/

It's the final episode of OZ NewsHour before the 2024 presidential election, and Jimmy and Andy are providing special coverage of this pivotal moment. Plus: Caliber announces a "first" in the OZ industry, and Pinnacle Partners capitalizes on growing interest in build-to-rent. Show notes: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/10/oznh-oct-24/

Earlier this month, Caliber introduced a new merger program for self-directed Qualified Opportunity Funds (QOFs), allowing them to merge into its larger multi-asset QOFs. Chris Loeffler, co-founder and CEO of Caliber, joins the show to discuss some of the strategic benefits of the merger platform and how it fits into Caliber’s broader goals of economic growth within Opportunity Zones. Show notes & transcript: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/10/chris-loeffler-318/

The future of Opportunity Zones may be at stake in next month's election. The outcome is likely to determine whether the program is extended, renewed, or left to phase out by 2026. John Sciarretti and Jason Watkins, partners at Novogradac, join the show to discuss how different election outcomes may impact tax legislation in 2025. Plus, they provide a preview of the upcoming Novogradac Opportunity Zones Summit, taking place in Washington DC next month. Show notes & transcript: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/10/novogradac-317/

Join Jimmy Atkinson on YouTube the first Monday of every month at 3 PM Eastern Time, to get your Opportunity Zones questions answered live.

OpportunityDb has rebranded as OpportunityZones.com. Plus: the Fed’s lower interest rates may spur renewed interest in OZ investing, Jimmy tours a precious metals vault in an Opportunity Zone, and the U.S. Navy turns to an OZ fund to expand their nuclear submarine building capacity. Show notes: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/09/oznh-sep-2024/

Despite being ideally suited for Opportunity Zone investing, less than one-third of family offices have made an OZ investment. DJ Van Keuren, executive director at the Family Office Real Estate Institute, joins the show to discuss why many investors have been hesitant about OZ investing, real estate market cycles, when the U.S. might enter a major recession, and opportunities for distressed asset acquisitions. Show notes & transcript: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/09/dj-van-keuren-315/

Prominent Opportunity Zone attorneys Gerry Reihsen, Brett Siglin, and Ashley Tison answer your OZ questions. Recorded June 13th, 2024 during OZ Pitch Day. Registration is now open for our next OZ Pitch Day event on November 14th, 2024: https://opportunityzones.com/pitch-day/

Hotel development deals are benefiting from favorable supply-demand dynamics post-COVID. John Schellhase, assistant vice president of investments at Peachtree Group, joins the show to discuss Peachtree's approach to Opportunity Zone investments, their focus on developing hospitality assets, and the broader real estate market trends currently shaping investment opportunities. Show notes & transcript: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/09/john-schellhase-313/

Join me on YouTube the first Monday of every month at 3 PM Eastern Time, to get your Opportunity Zones questions answered live.

The New York Times recently featured the Opportunity Zones program, and the paper's coverage was surprisingly balanced (headline notwithstanding). Plus: Novogradac announces that 185,000 homes have been built with QOFs, and Jimmy announces a brand new project at OpportunityDb. Show notes: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/08/oznh-aug-2024/

Miami is experiencing steady and comparatively outsized growth, with strategically located Opportunity Zones offering new avenues for investment and development. Liam Krahe and David Cohen, co-founders of the South Florida QOZ Fund, join the show to discuss the challenges and opportunities of investing in Miami's rapidly evolving urban landscape. Show notes & transcript: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/08/liam-krahe-david-cohen-311/

Kamala Harris is the new Democratic nominee for President, but does she hate Opportunity Zones? Plus: Polymarket believes President Trump is still favored to win the election, and Capital Square prepares to open yet another OZ building. Show notes: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/07/oznh-jul-2024/

Can Opportunity Zones be re-tooled to help create additional social impact for years to come? Ja'Ron Smith, chief advocacy officer at the Opportunity Funds Association, joins the show to discuss efforts to reauthorize the Opportunity Zones legislation, grow the coalition, and implement new incentives to boost community development. Show notes & transcript: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/07/jaron-smith-310/

Opportunity Zone investing is down significantly over the past two years. Why might now still be a great time to invest in Qualified Opportunity Funds? Recorded live at OZ Pitch Day on June 13, 2024, featuring OZ Insiders members Andrew Doup of SyndicationCounsel, Jill Homan of Javelin 19 Investments, and Coni Rathbone of VF Law. Moderated by Jimmy Atkinson of OpportunityDb and OZ Insiders. Show notes & transcript: https://opportunitydb.com/2024/07/why-invest-ozs-now-309/

According to Novogradac’s poll of experts, an OZ program extension would likely spur an avalanche of new investment activity. Plus: Inland’s Keith Lampi provides insights on the self storage sector, and Capital Square launches their ninth OZ project. Show notes: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/06/oznh-jun-2024/

The self-storage industry is booming. Russ Colvin, CEO and president of YourSpace America, joins the show to share his insights on the unique advantages of self-storage development within Opportunity Zones, emphasizing the sector's resilience and potential for outsized returns. Show notes & transcript: https://opportunityzones.com/2024/06/russ-colvin-308/

Ashley Tison Fields Your OZ Questions LIVE at OZ Pitch Day Spring 2024. Recorded on March 7, 2024. Learn more about OZ Pitch Day: https://opportunityzones.com/pitch-day/