The growing group of community developers, real estate firms and investors looking to capitalize on Opportunity Zones have community development experts worried about gentrification and displacement. Their concern is that a flood of value-added real estate investing will raise housing costs, thus displacing local residents.

For a provision that's been an enduring part of the federal tax code for 40 years, the historic tax credit (HTC) has been on a bit of a roller coaster ride the past 18 months. The concerns about elimination of the credit were real, as last winter's landmark tax legislation threatened the continuation of the credit and ultimately eliminated the 10 percent rehabilitation credit for non-historic properties.

The Kalispel Tribe of Indians has closed a $53.5 million bond deal that will allow it to pursue several capital improvement projects on reservation land. The tribe will use the bonds to build new roads, offices for the tribal police department and upgrades to its sewer system.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a $135 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the Orange County Water District to help finance its Groundwater Replenishment System final expansion. The Orange County Water District estimates the project will cost $282 million.

On July 23, Representative Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) released a discussion bill on a transportation and water resources infrastructure investment package. This article contains key insights as to where the chairman's infrastructure proposal is leaning, and how that may impact cities

Reps. Jason Smith (R-MO) and Terri Sewell (D-AL) introduced the Rural Jobs Zones Act, bipartisan legislation that would expand NMTC allocation authority for projects targeted at certain rural communities. The bill would provide $500 million in additional NMTC authority for both 2018 and 2019, targeted at Rural Job Zones

Bond financing facilitated by WHEFA will be used to help Bethany Lutheran Homes, Inc. finance the acquisition, construction and equipping of an addition to the existing Eagle Crest South senior housing facility in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to add 181 units along with related supportive services and facilities.

The Columbus health IT company expects to create 1,032 full-time positions, generating $75.3 million a year in new payroll and retaining 600 jobs and $35.5 million in payroll, according to the governor's office. That's part of a planned expansion and $225 million campus CoverMyMeds wants to build in Franklinton.

Court Street Group Research and The Municipal Impact Coalition held a webinar recently discussing the impact of technological change on public governance investment. Webinar panelists were George Friedlander, Joseph Krist, Matt Posner, and Mac Hughes-Cromwick.

The Akron Community Revitalization Fund (ACRF) is announcing its sixth loan of $1.67M, which is an interim construction loan for the Bowery re-development project in downtown Akron. The Bowery is a proposed six building, $40M mixed use development project which is anchored by the historic Akron Civic Theatre.

Plans for a bond measure to build a high school athletic stadium in downtown Spokane, Washington, are on hold for now as city and school officials discuss their next step. The City Council voted 5-2 to table the proposal, as confusion over the bond caused concern it could overshadow other measures on the November ballot.

The West Virginia Parkways Authority will enter the bond market to fund a portion of its contribution to the state's $2.6 billion road financing program.The Parkways Authority plans to price $160.72 million of senior lien turnpike toll revenue bonds as part of the state's Roads to Prosperity Program.

Experts on EPA financing programs will give a thorough overview of the financing options the EPA provides to support brownfields redevelopment and the development of water infrastructure. CDFA will place a specific emphasis on the various EPA Brownfields Grant Programs, including Brownfields Assessment Grants, Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Grants, and Brownfields Cleanup Grants, as well as the financing offered through the Water Infrastructure Finance And Innovation Act (WIFIA).

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