-Overview
The
CDFA Opportunity Zones Learning Series, presented in partnership with Grow America, is a resource to help communities develop a comprehensive understanding of Opportunity Zones. As updated Opportunity Zone designations are identified in 2027, communities must prepare to leverage this unique development finance tool. The CDFA Opportunity Zones Learning Series will educate communities to strategically implement this equity investment resource, while outlining how debt instruments can support Opportunity Zone investment. CDFA will also explore how communities can support a whole host of development needs from mixed use, office, commercial, housing, manufacturing, redevelopment, nonprofit development, and utilities.
The series consists of six modules that each build upon the previous installation to offer participants a progressive and consistent learning experience. Presenters will focus on the following areas:
- Introduction to Opportunity Zones
- Project prospectuses and OZ strategies
- Building and/or engaging Opportunity Zone Funds
- Guiding bond programs to support OZ projects
- Using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and OZ together
- Engaging tax credits to complete the capital stack in OZs
- Maximizing revolving loan funds (RLFs) to support OZ small businesses
- Navigating OZ compliance, monitoring, and reporting
- Creating an "OZ Ready" approach
- Connecting with the OZ private sector stakeholders
- Exploring best practices and case studies for OZ success
Attendees have the option to register for one session or the full series. Significant discounts are available for CDFA member organizations and those who register for the full series.
Register for the CDFA Opportunity Zones Learning Series today, and learn more about
joining CDFA.
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Course Advisor
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Preston Frick
Council of Development Finance Agencies
Manager
Preston Frick is a Manager in the Knowledge & Networks Division at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). In this role, Preston works to connect development finance professionals in the areas of federal funding opportunities, and ... Opportunity Zones. His responsibilities also include research, advocacy, and leading CDFA's FedFunding Briefings.
Preston completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Ohio University, obtaining a Masters of Public Administration. His career has focused on community development from an academic and regional planning setting. Preston is an avid Cleveland and Columbus sports fan, and enjoys kayaking. (More)
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-Agenda
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Thursday, December 17, 2026
Thursday, January 15, 2026
| Thu 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM |
Introduction to Opportunity Zones
Opportunity Zones became a perminent development finance tool in 2025, with many Opportunity Zone updates occuring throughout 2026. Now is the time for communities to prepare to leverage Opportunity Zones. The first installment of the CDFA Opportunity Zones Learning Series will provide an overview of the Opportunity Zones program, with insights to key dates for 2026. Participants will leave this session with an understanding of the Opportunity Zones program.
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Thursday, March 12, 2026
| Thu 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM |
Opportunity Zone Strategies
Communities must be prepared to promote their Opportunity Zones and leverage other development finance tools to obtain investment. Creating project prospectuses can help communities to connect with the Opportunity Zone private sector, while formalizing project planning in these zones. The second course of CDFA's Opportunity Zones Learning Series will highlight how communities can become Opportunity Zone ready.
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Thursday, May 14, 2026
| Thu 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM |
Guiding Bond Programs to Support Opportunity Zone Projects
Bonds are the bedrock of development finance tools, and can leverage Opportunity Zone investments. The third course of CDFA's Opportunity Zones Learning Series will highlight how communities can use bond financing for projects within Opportunity Zones.
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Thursday, July 16, 2026
| Thu 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM |
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) in Opportunity Zones
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a unique and powerful development finance tool. Communities should be prepared to implement TIFs in their Opportunity Zones to attract investments. The fourth course of CDFA's Opportunity Zones Learning Series will strategize on how to create TIFs within a community's Opportunity Zones.
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Thursday, September 10, 2026
| Thu 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM |
Attracting Tax Credits to Fill Capital Stack Gaps in Opportunity Zones
Tax Credit and Opportunity Zones are investment development finance resources. When applicable, these two development finance tools can work together to attract capital in distressed communities. The fifth course of CDFA's Opportunity Zones Learning Series will describe how these tools can obtain equity investments when financing projects in distressed communities.
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Thursday, December 17, 2026
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-Location
The CDFA Opportunity Zones Learning Series will take place on Zoom. The six webinars will be held throughout 2026 on January 15, March 12, May 14, July 16, September 15, and December 10. You must have access to a computer and internet to attend the webinars. |
-Registration
CDFA has provided two options for registering for the CDFA Opportunity Zones Learning Series.
Individual Sessions
Participants can register at any time for an individual webinar:
CDFA Member: $300
Non-Member: $375
Full Series
Participants can register for the full series and receive a significant discount:
CDFA Member: $1,000
Non-Member: $1,400
Group Rate
Participants from the same organization will receive a 50% discount for registering 5 or more people.
Webinars will be recorded and placed online for participants to access afterward. Only attendees who purchased either an individual webinar or the full series will have access to the online recordings. Attendees who miss a webinar will also have access to the online recording.
Register