The Opportunity Zone (OZ) program was established as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to revitalize low-income rural and urban communities through incentivized long-term investments. Brady Meixell, a housing and communities expert at the Urban Institute, spoke with the Portland Press Herald about how existing research on the program shows that OZ investments are often driven by private market considerations rather than community needs. “You’re not shaping the market, you’re kind of layering on top of existing markets,” said Meixell. 

For inquiries, please email [email protected].