Opportunity Zones, a federal economic development tool that provides tax incentives for investments in low-income communities, are back and bigger than ever. They’re one of the most exciting and catalytic development finance tools in decades. Originally introduced as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), Congress has just passed legislation to renew and strengthen this successful program.

An Opportunity Zone designation alone does not guarantee investment in your community. Effectively leveraging this complex tool requires a strong understanding of its strategies and deployment mechanisms. Communities and practitioners with the most comprehensive knowledge and preparedness will be best positioned to unlock the full potential of this innovative financing tool, supporting community revitalization, economic development, and housing projects.

The CDFA Intro Opportunity Zones Finance Course will bring together program designers, fund managers, community leaders, investors, and policy experts to share strategies for attracting zone investments and maximizing Opportunity Zones 2.0. The course will also cover key legislative updates, including enhanced bonus depreciation provisions, new zone designations with an emphasis on rural areas, and other critical policy developments.

This course qualifies for the CDFA Training Institute's Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program. Start down the road to personal and professional advancement today.

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Course Objectives Learn the fundamentals of Opportunity Zones 2.0 Understand key legislative updates and changes Explore how OZs can support housing and other development projects Gain insight into the key players shaping the Opportunity Zone landscape Engage directly with fund managers and investors Discuss best practices for structuring Opportunity Zones and Opportunity Funds Learn how to identify potential funders and effectively market your zones Explore how OZ 2.0 can contribute to community revitalization Build connections and identify opportunities for future investment Topics Covered Fundamentals of Opportunity Zones Strategies for attracting investment Engaging stakeholders and communities Rural and urban Opportunity Zone approaches Impact investing within Opportunity Zones Community, zone-level, and project case studies Timing and location of Opportunity Fund investments Fund-manager perspectives on zone investment State-level Opportunity Zone strategies Debt-financing tools that complement Opportunity Fund investments Who Should Attend? Economic development professionals Community development practitioners Real estate developers Investors and fund managers Non-profit leaders Elected officials Legal counsel Policymakers Accountants and tax professionals Commercial bankers Financial advisors

Course Advisor Toby Rittner Council of Development Finance Agencies President & CEO Toby Rittner is the President & CEO of Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA), a national association dedicated to the advancement of development finance concerns and interests. CDFA is comprised of the nation’s leading and most... knowledgeable members of the development finance community representing hundreds of public, private and non-profit development finance agencies. Mr. Rittner runs the day-to-day operations of the Council including the organization’s various educational, advocacy, research, resources, and networking initiatives. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the CDFA Foundation. Rittner is one of the most vocal and recognized leaders of the development finance industry nationwide and has advised local, state, and federal leaders, including Presidents Biden and Obama, on economic development finance policy. Through his leadership and guidance, CDFA was successful in preserving private activity bonds and other critical development finance tools during the 2017 tax reform deliberations and has had numerous pieces of legislation introduced in the United States Congress. In 2021, Rittner successfully led a national effort to reauthorize and fund the $10B State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. He has written and crafted dozens of strategic finance plans for development finance agencies and advised communities throughout the world on development finance approaches. Rittner focuses on sustainable finance with an emphasis on infrastructure, clean energy, food systems, small business, and innovations in the development finance industry to drive sustainable outcomes. He has written extensively about impact ready initiatives that leverage and engage capital in ways that drive local sustainability in business and industry and the environment and economy. Rittner is a frequent speaker at local, state, and national conferences and events focused on economic development finance. He has been featured in The Bond Buyer, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, NPR and other national media publications concerning the advancement of development finance tools. He is the author of CDFA's highly acclaimed Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance and co-author of CDFA's Unlocking Capital: A Handbook for Becoming a High Performing Development Finance Agency. Rittner is an adjunct faculty member at The Ohio State University and Carnegie Mellon University. He is also a Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) and has completed the prestigious Oxford University Sustainable Finance Foundation Course. Mr. Rittner previously served on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Financial Advisory Board and is a member of the Advisory Board for the National Community Fund I. Mr. Rittner holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master's of City and Regional Planning degree from The Ohio State University. Mr. Rittner was awarded the Ohio State University College of Engineering Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2016. (More)

This training course qualifies for the CDFA Training Institute's Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program. Start down the road to personal and professional advancement today.

Scholarships are available to attend this event. Learn more about the CDFA Scholarship Program, and submit your application today. Please note that the application deadline is two weeks prior to the course start date.

CDFA permits only one person to log in and participate in the course. If multiple people are accessing the course without paying to attend, we will terminate the connection and access. CDFA offers group discounts for organizations that wish to register multiple people.

Early Bird Rates (Ends November 28) CDFA Member: $500 Non-Member: $825

Standard Rates (After November 28) CDFA Member: $625 Non-Member: $950

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