Opportunity Zones are an economic development tool that enables investments in distressed census tracts of the United States. Originally created under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, this resource was updated and made permanent in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025. New Opportunity Zones are established every ten years, with updated tracts to be announced in January of 2027.
The CDFA Opportunity Zone (OZ) Resource Hub includes OZ resources and latest news, helping communities throughout the Country become OZ Ready. Many Opportunity Zone updates will occur throughout 2026 as Opportunity Zone 2.0 designations become official. This Resource Hub is regularly updated to help you stay in the know with all things Opportunity Zones.
+ Education
2026 CDFA Opportunity Zones Learning Series
The CDFA 2026 Opportunity Zones Learning Series is presented in partnership with Grow America. This Learning Series consists of six modules that each build upon the previous installation to offer participants a progressive and consistent learning experience. Attendees can choose to participate in all sessions, or only attend of-interest sessions. The goal of this Learning Series is to teach communities how to leverage existing development finance tools with OZ investments.
Economic Innovation Group OZ 2.0 Resources
The Economic Innovation Group’s (EIG) Opportunity Zones webpage is a great place to start when understanding how this tool can support communities. The most recent research report, titled “Opportunity Zones 2.0: Guidance for Governors and Mayors”, presents a framework for strategic OZ designations.
Debunking Opportunity Zone Myths
This article from FBT Gibbons identifies four common Opportunity Zone misconceptions, followed by an outlook for the 2026 Opportunity Zones landscape. This is a great resource to familiarize yourself with Opportunity Zones.
Treasury 2026 Opportunity Zones Guidance
The U.S. Department and Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service jointly issues Opportunity Zone guidance on April 6, 2026. This guidance was required to be released per the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and identifies all eligible census tracts under Opportunity Zones 2.0.
+ Advocacy
CDFI Fund Seeks Public Comment on Opportunity Zone Nomination Tool
The CDFI Fund, within the U.S. Department of Treasury, has issued a request for public comments regarding their Opportunity Zone Nomination Tool. This tool outlines how U.S. Treasury will obtain Opportunity Zone nominations from Governors, and allows the public to provide feedback on this proposed process.
CDFA Advocacy Briefing: Opportunity Zones 2.0
CDFA’s Advocacy Briefing, Opportunity Zones 2.0, held a discussion with experts on the potential for new OZ legislation and explored what a future OZ 2.0 program could look like. This recorded briefing was moderated by CDFA’s Toby Rittner and featured representatives from the Milken Institute Finance, Opportunity Funds Association, Novogradac, and General Council from Senator Tim Scott.
CDFA Advocacy Briefing: First Look at Opportunity Zones 2.0
CDFA’s Advocacy Briefing: First Look at Opportunity Zones 2.0, held a discussion with experts on the early news on OZ 2.0 and sought to answer initial questions. This recorded briefing was moderated by CDFA’s Toby Rittner and features Ashley Tinson, CEO and founder of OZPros, and Jason Watkins, Partner with Novogradac & Company LLC.
+ Resources
U.S. Department of Treasury
The U.S. Department of Treasury publishes official OZ guidance through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS houses these official documents on their website, and provides a plethora of information for all stages of the OZ investment process.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides many resources to help communities throughout the country navigate OZs. Official OZ census tracts are mapped and formally identified through HUD. HUD provides resources for communities to understand and strategically leverage OZs.
Leveraging Development Finance Tools to Attract Opportunity Zone Investment
This guide, authored by CDFA and Skeo, provides an overview of various development finance tools and suggestions for how communities could use these tools to finance projects in OZs. Each section includes additional resources to learn more, along with case studies to illustrate how development finance tools have been used to support revitalization goals in several OZs.
Urban Institute Opportunity Zones 2026 Selection Tool
The Urban Institute's Opportunity Zones 2026 Selection Tool was created to help States and local governments understand where strategic Opportunity Zone Census Tracts are located. This resource identifies which Opportunity Zone Census Tracts would most benefit from designations.
Opportunity Zones 2.0 Data Analysis
Opportunityzones.com has released data analysis on projected Opportunity Zones 2.0 eligible Census Tracts. This resource provides a State-by-State Eligibility Summary, and link to an updated Opportunity Zones 2.0 Eligibility Map.
+ Networking
CDFA Opportunity Zones Networking Circle
The CDFA OZ Networking Circle is an exclusive CDFA membership benefit. The Networking Circle is designed to connect professionals working with OZs. These sessions offer a space for open conversations, peer learning, and shared problem-solving, guided by experienced Ambassadors who lead the discussion and help keep the conversation going between meetings. The Networking Circle will have virtual, quarterly meetups for attendees, and includes a private LinkedIn page for continual networking. The first meeting will happen December 11, 2025; with future convenings occurring April 9, June 18, October 3, and December 3, 2026. If you are interested in joining and are not currently a CDFA member, membership information can be found
here.
CDFA 2026 National Development Finance Summit
CDFA's annual National Development Finance Summit will take place November 18 - 20 in Savannah, Georgia. This conference will include Opportunity Zone sessions and allow you to network with other organizations who also have an Opportunity Zone interest. I encourage you to monitor this webpage and CDFA's LinkedIn account for conference updates.