Opportunity Zones Podcast

Capitol Hill is moving toward a permanent Opportunity Zones program, but the fine print matters. In this OZ Pitch Day panel, Jimmy Atkinson is joined by Blake Christian and Jim Lang to unpack the Senate’s draft OZ 2.0 bill. They explore the proposal’s major reforms, potential pitfalls, and what developers and investors need to know right now. Show notes & episode summary: https://opportunityzones....

Can Opportunity Zone capital bring a long-abandoned property back to life? Joel Mazza and Bob Erlanger of Erma Capital tell the incredible story of The GRAD Apartments in Mount Vernon, Ohio—a 1939 high school building that sat vacant for over 25 years, before being transformed into new apartments with Opportunity Zone capital. Show notes & transcript: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/06/joel-mazz...

While the original policy intent behind Opportunity Zones was to catalyze more entrepreneurship and small business investment in disadvantaged communities all across the nation, most OZ capital has flowed into real estate. Jonathan Goldstein of Advantage Capital joins the show to discuss how a few targeted legislative fixes could finally make the OZ incentive work for operating businesses, especia...

The Opportunity Zones program is on the verge of major reform. In this live panel recording from Capital Square's Opportunity Zones & Multifamily Investing Summit, Jimmy Atkinson is joined by Shay Hawkins (Sen. Tim Scott's tax counsel), Emily Lavery (Fulcrum Public Affairs), Catherine Lyons (EIG), Louis Rogers (Capital Square), and Jay Parsons (rental housing economist) to unpack the future of OZs...

In this June 2025 edition of Opportunity Zones Office Hours, Jimmy Atkinson answers live questions and shares his 5 ideas for improving Opportunity Zones. Plus, how you can sign our OZ 2.0 advocacy letter to Congress.

The House has passed their OZ 2.0 bill as part of budget reconciliation. The bill now heads to the Senate. How should the Senate address OZ 2.0 and what are the next steps for doing so? Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/05/oznh-may-2025/

Are Opportunity Zones about to shrink nationwide? Join me for a live deep dive into my new analysis of how the new House bill would result in 22% fewer OZ designations. I'll walk through the latest data, the newly proposed eligibility rules, and what it all means for investors, communities, and the future of OZs. Featuring a state-by-state breakdown and my top policy recommendation. Read the full...

Congress has officially unveiled its draft legislation for Opportunity Zones 2.0—what’s in it, and what’s missing? In this episode, Jimmy Atkinson is joined by Jason Watkins of Novogradac to break down the brand new OZ provisions released by the House Ways and Means Committee as part of a larger tax package. They discuss how the proposal would reshape Opportunity Zone designations, introduce rural...

Jimmy Atkinson hosts the May 2025 edition of Opportunity Zones Office Hours, diving into the latest updates on OZ legislation, reform ideas under discussion, and key timelines for potential extension or renewal of the program. He also answers live questions about fund structuring, working capital compliance, census tract remapping, and OZ investing strategies. Show notes & summary: https://opportu...

OZ NewsHour episode for April 2025: Budget reconciliation is underway, and new Opportunity Zone legislation now officially has a green light to move forward. Plus, Novogradac has released new QOF survey data, and OZ Insiders is gearing up to host a networking dinner in Los Angeles. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/04/oznh-apr-2025/

In the age of supply chain insecurity, one Opportunity Zone project is bringing cobalt processing—and critical jobs—back to U.S. soil. Gil Michel-Garcia of EVelution Energy joins the show to discuss how OZs are helping to power a major industrial comeback via a $322 million cobalt processing facility being developed in Arizona. Backed by OZ equity and driven by federal policy—including President T...

As Congress unlocks the path for major tax legislation, Opportunity Zone leaders gather in Park City, Utah to shape what comes next. Recorded live at the “Yellow Brick Road to QOZ 2.0” summit, Jimmy Atkinson is joined by Jim Lang of Greenberg Traurig to break down the biggest takeaways from the event. They discuss the policy priorities gaining traction for OZ 2.0, including a 10-year extension, ro...

What would an Opportunity Zones 2.0 look like—and what do investors actually want? Jill Homan from the America First Policy Institute joins the show from the site of The Yellow Brick Road To QOZ 2.0 Event in Park City, UT, to discuss the results of a new investor survey and explore the leading proposals on the table for OZ legislation in 2025. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/202...

On this month’s live episode of OZ Office Hours, OpportunityZones.com founder Jimmy Atkinson discusses the upcoming Yellow Brick Road To OZ 2.0 conference in Park City, plus how the Senate's recent budget vote may impact tax legislation and OZs in the coming weeks and months. Join Jimmy the first Monday of every month at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, to get your Opportunity Zones questions answered live....

Trump's recent budget win has sparked renewed enthusiasm for new Opportunity Zones legislation in 2025. Plus, OZ Pitch Day attracted a record audience, proving the program's growing popularity among investors. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/03/oznh-mar-2025/

A big Opportunity Zones event coming to Park City, UT next month is set to be the premier gathering for Opportunity Zone investors and other stakeholders ahead of much anticipated OZ 2.0 legislation. Jim Lang of Greenberg Traurig join the show to discuss what attendees can expect, how the OZ market has evolved since its inception, and why upcoming legislative changes will define the program’s futu...

Multifamily real estate development has become the dominant strategy in Opportunity Zones, and with a nationwide housing shortage, the demand for new projects is stronger than ever. Jeff Tompkins and Joseph Julian of Altes Capital join the show to discuss their approach to OZ investing, the role of workforce housing, and why now may be the right time for investors to take advantage of Opportunity...

With hundreds of thousands of housing units developed and billions of dollars in capital raised, Opportunity Zones have become a major force in real estate. But how do investors find the best projects? Todd Vitzthum, president at ACARA, joins the show to discuss the evolution of Opportunity Zone investing, the role of development in OZ projects, and the launch of OZ Listings, a new marketplace des...

President Trump has big plans for Opportunity Zones legislation in 2025. Extending and renewing the OZ incentive is part of his broader tax cuts agenda for his second term in the White House. And with the House passing their 2025 budget resolution last month, the stage is set to accomplish just that. This panel discussion was recorded live at OZ Pitch Day on March 6, 2025, featuring Jimmy Atkinson...

On this month’s live episode of OZ Office Hours, OpportunityZones.com founder Jimmy Atkinson explains what's next for Opportunity Zones legislation after the House passed their 2025 budget bill. Plus, Jimmy takes live OZ questions from the audience. Join Jimmy the first Monday of every month at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, to get your Opportunity Zones questions answered live. Show notes & summary: https...

President Donald J. Trump just said that Opportunity Zones are "probably the number one economic development project ever." Plus, two more OZ champions join the Administration, and Jimmy highlights the upcoming OZ Pitch Day agenda. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/02/oznh-feb-2025/

Opportunity Zones have driven over $150 billion in investment into underdeveloped areas, but their future depends on Congressional action. Jonathan Tower, founder and CEO of Arctaris Impact Investors, joins the show to discuss the next phase of Opportunity Zone policy, the role of public-private partnerships, and the investment strategies that can maximize both impact and returns. Show notes & epi...

Follow my new "Fund Playbook" podcast, so you don't miss any new episodes. Just go to fundplaybook.com ... and click the Apple Podcasts or Spotify button. Or, search for "Fund Playbook" in your podcast app, and subscribe right now.

Raising capital for an Opportunity Zone project isn't easy. Plus, there are numerous legal complexities to consider if you want to avoid potential civil and criminal penalties. Andrew Doup, founder of SyndicationCounsel, joins the show to discuss how OZ project sponsors and investors can protect themselves legally by making appropriate SEC filings, disclosing material risks in PPMs, and more. Show...

On this month’s live episode of OZ Office Hours, OpportunityZones.com founder Jimmy Atkinson explains how Trump's tariffs on imported goods from Canada, Mexico, and China will impact Opportunity Zone investors. Plus, Jimmy takes live questions from the audience. Join Jimmy the first Monday of every month at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, to get your Opportunity Zones questions answered live. Show notes & t...