Leading global alternative asset manager Highmore has unveiled a real estate Opportunity Zone fund with a $200 million targeted capacity. The fund was launched in the first quarter of 2019.

Walker & Dunlop Inc. has provided a $21,086,700 construction loan for the Kodak Crossing project in Kodak, Tennessee. The new multifamily property will be developed by VITA Development Group, Inc. in Sevier County, a designated Opportunity Zone census tract.

Investor Sixty West Funds and developer Lucror Resources have chosen Motto by Hilton to anchor Waldo’s Old Fourth Ward, a $80 million mixed-use development taking shape in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood.

Fifteen months ago, Harris Bay managing director Jake Harris had no idea what the Opportunity Zone program was — but now his private-equity group is embarking on a major OZ development on the San Antonio Riverwalk, and plans to focus on OZ projects in San Antonio and elsewhere for several years to come.

The Rockefeller Foundation has launched a $5.5 million initiative to help U.S. cities attract private investment in economically-distressed communities through Opportunity Zones.

UpperCross Development Group and Beucler Properties have closed on Michigan City’s first Opportunity Zone project.

The J.A. Green Development Corp. has broken ground on JAG Logistics Center at DIA, an industrial park just south of Denver International Airport in Aurora, Colorado.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded a $4.8-million grant to Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida, to help construct and expand the college’s Center for Innovation and Economic Development (CIED) at the Blount Center. The project is located in an Opportunity Zone and will be matched with more than $1 million in local funds.

Rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris and radio host Charlamagne Tha God paid tribute to fallen rapper Nipsey Hussle on Capitol Hill this month while promoting efforts to draw OZ dollars to black communities around the country.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has unveiled a plan to bring his state’s laws into conformity with the federal Opportunity Zone program — but some industry-watchers say they want his proposal to be less restrictive to drive more OZ investors to the golden state.

Workers have begun tearing down an old parking garage overlooking Market Square Park in Houston to make way for The Preston, a 46-story luxury high-rise that’s poised to become the downtown area’s tallest residential tower.

The Pearl Fund is launching its fund with a focus on high-potential opportunity zone businesses that can yield 10 times or more in returns.

HFF, a provider of commercial real estate and capital markets services, has partnered with BUILD, a San Francisco residential development company, to find investment partners for its new project.

New York Opportunity Zone investment shop Activated Capital is preparing to launch a $25 million OZ fund dedicated to investing in operating businesses in the US heartland, in a bid to unlock high-growth opportunities overlooked by the conventional VC community.

URS Capital Partners of Huntington, NY, has raised more than $20 million in Opportunity Zone capital to help fund a $45 million multifamily development in South Portland, Maine.

Blockchain Holdings Capital Ventures, Inc. plans to sponsor and help launch a Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund in the second quarter of 2019. The Opportunity Zone Fund sponsored by BHCV seeks to invest in commercial properties in Opportunity Zones that have a specific set of criteria, such as properties with a particular energy footprint.

The historic Ohio City Masonic Center on Cleveland’s west side is getting a $2.6 million facelift, and a new lease of life as one of the Midwest’s largest rock-climbing gyms, thanks to the Opportunity Zone program.

Crop One Holdings, a vertical farm operator, will sponsor its first qualified opportunity fund in an Opportunity Zone. The Vertical Farm Opportunity Fund will invest in building and operating a new vertical farm in Texas that will be located in a qualified Opportunity Zone in the Austin-San Antonio corridor.

California real-estate company M31 Capital is rolling out a $25 million boutique Opportunity Zone fund to help Silicon Valley’s HNWIs convert tech-sector stock gains into tax-favorable Bay Area real-estate investments.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin recently announced the Birmingham Inclusive Growth (BIG) Partnership, a private sector-led, community-focused Opportunity Zone initiative with the aim of elevating Birmingham residents’ quality of life and bringing tangible returns for investors. The BIG Partnership hopes to drive investment into Birmingham’s 24 Opportunity Zones, kicking off with a $24 million American Life building transformation.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced on Friday released a series of incentives for developers to build affordable multifamily properties in Opportunity Zones.

Utah-based urban-infill specialist PEG Capital Partners has raised $100 million in committed capital for a planned $250 million fund that will invest in Opportunity Zone projects with a focus on the Western United States.

Dirigo Capital Advisers of Augusta is prepping what’s believed to be Maine’s first Opportunity Zone project, in a move that highlights the program’s potential to spur development in smaller and non-traditional markets.

Los Angeles-based law firm GriggsLittle is launching a new consortium aimed at connecting investors and developers with churches that own underdeveloped real estate in inner-city Opportunity Zones.

Puerto Rico is prime to receive an influx of investment dollars to the island, due to most of the country being designated as an opportunity zone. And there’s a lot of investment opportunities to go around since the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Maria.

Urban Catalyst, a multi-asset Opportunity Fund, is working on completing several projects in San Jose opportunity zones, starting with the Fountain Alley Building. Urban Catalyst was established with the goal of building in opportunity zones and is planning six projects in downtown San Jose.

Opportunity Zone Magazine is proud to recognize the industry's leading and most influential Opportunity Zone professionals in five categories: attorneys, fund managers/developers, tax specialists, policy influencers and professionals in specialized fields. Candidates were evaluated based on their vision, influence and industry experience.

A practical guide to structuring a qualified opportunity fund and best practices to maintain the fund’s compliance throughout the investment period.

California is open for Opportunity Zone business to boost local economies and spur investment, treasurer Ma announced while keynoting the Opportunity Zone Expo in Los Angeles. Here, she shares more insight about the impact of Opportunity Zones in underserved communities.

Why Developing a Local Prospectus Will Help Match Investment to Your Community’s Vision

What to keep in mind when it comes to creating a fund and what is required for transactions and operations of businesses in Opportunity Zones.

With a booming cannabis industry, Opportunity Zones can offer strategic benefits for cannabis entrepreneurs.

President Trump has names NFL star and former Texas state legislator Turner to head up his new council which will coordinate federal agencies' efforts to support the OZ program.

What are the differences between direct and indirect investments when it comes to the amount, timeframe, proposed regulations and investment strategies.

How real estate developers and investors can use impact investing to make a change and leave a legacy.

With the introduction of Opportunity Zones, taxpayers have more options to better protect their capital and reinvest into the economy.

A triple bottom line Opportunity Fund investment strategy builds on the double bottom line metrics but invests in businesses and projects that have a positive social impact on the community.

Even though all states have Opportunity Zones, the program allows each state to choose to adapt to its federal provisions. Currently, 31 states and the District of Columbia conform to the federal program, which means participants have many issues to consider to optimize their investments.

If you are an investor, developer, fund or another industry participant, it is crucial that you understand the clarifications and practical impacts of the proposed opportunity zone regulations.

Learn how investors can minimize potential mistakes by considering compliance reporting, designation maintenance, fund agreements, sponsor pedigree, investment strategy, exit considerations and risk tolerance.

Learn facts from rumors when it comes to Qualified Opportunity Funds, tax benefits, deployment of investments, qualifying requirements and timeframes of investments.

The Jan. 25 expo at the JW Marriott L.A. Live hotel was headlined by three keynote speakers: California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt and former Congressman Keith Rothfus of Pennsylvania.

Pittsburgh-based real estate investment firm Alpha Capital Partners has partnered with Chicago developers Brierhill Left Development to snap up an empty parcel in North Nashville for $4.5 million, as part of its first foray into Opportunity Zone fundraising.

Paperbox Lofts has become the state of Utah’s first development in a qualified opportunity zone. Utah-based ClearWater Homes and commercial real estate development firm PEG Development broke ground on the two-acre mixed-use development.

Midas Hospitality, a leading hotel development, management and investment firm raised $35 million in four months for its Opportunity Zone fund, largely from St. Louis area investors. The project brings the first hotels to the St. Louis’ Cortex innovation district and Prospect Yards community.

Two major Chicago real-estate players are teaming up to raise $1 billion for Opportunity Zones investments in the Midwest and across the country. Farpoint Development, which has played a key role in redeveloping Chicago’s west side, will pair with real estate firm Clayco to launch Decennial Group, named for the 10-year investment timeline required to reap the full benefits of the OZ program.

Scott Turner, executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, will be a keynote speaker at the Opportunity Zone Expo in Las Vegas on May 9-10, which is set to once again be the nation’s largest event in the Opportunity Zone investment industry.

Eaty Gourmet LLC already explored developing a dynamic mixed-use project on 52 acres on the Columbia River owned by the Port of Pasco when they learned the property sat in an Opportunity Zone.

A gleaming new glass-and-steel addition is coming to the Vancouver waterfront: the 150-room AC Hotel by Marriott, Vancouver’s first major Opportunity Zone project, is poised to begin construction ahead of a planned opening in early 2021.

After input from hundreds of key players in the industry, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has today released a second set of proposed regulations for the Opportunity Zone tax incentive program.

President Trump has named NFL star and Texas state legislator Scott Turner as executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, which will coordinate federal agencies’ efforts to support the OZ program. We checked in with Turner as he settled into his new role. “I’m very humbled, to say the least, to have been brought in to be a part of this council,” Turner said.

The Kresge Foundation is staking $22 million to anchor two new Opportunity Zone Funds, in a bid to drive $800 million in new capital into distressed communities while increasing transparency and responsible investing in the OZ sector.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced that his proposed budget for the 2020-2021 biennium will include a state tax incentive to attract investment to Ohio’s designated Opportunity Zones.

With 8,700 designated opportunity zones in the United States, finding impactful investment within the zones has become an interest to many in the community development realm.  

The Opportunity Zone Expo is proud to announce Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nevada) as keynote speakers for its upcoming Las Vegas conference, set to be the nation’s largest event in the Opportunity Zone investment industry.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order establishing a new White House council that will encourage investment into the nation’s Opportunity Zones.

A new set of tax regulations is presenting investors with appealing opportunities while potentially bringing in capital to areas that need it the most. It also gives developers new funding venues for their projects.

The benefit of rolling capital gains into a Qualified Opportunity Fund is getting a tax reduction or eliminating any capital gains tax.

The Department of the Treasury has announced draft rules and regulations to bring clarity to investors on the tax implications of investing in Opportunity Zones.

Investors and developers are looking forward to netting significant tax benefits through the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’s new Opportunity Zones — but significant confusion remains over how the program will work, and what immediate action interested parties should be taking.

A windfall of investors are pursuing Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) investments following the release of IRS guidelines that clarify requirements.

For investors interested in opportunity zones, experts say selecting the right location for their investment should be carefully considered.

Opportunity Zones can provide favorable capital gains for taxpayers with unrealized gains who invest in the struggling areas.

Opportunity Zones are low-income communities around the country that have been chosen by the governors of each state to attract investment funds by offering tax incentives to investors.

Qualified Opportunity Funds pool diverse investor funds and allocate those funds into eligible businesses and properties within Qualified Opportunity Zones.

Investor interest has picked up since the IRS and the Treasury Department released the first version of rules for investing in Opportunity Zones. This could be promising news for cryptocurrency investors.

Those looking to invest in a qualified opportunity fund (QOF) should first turn to experts for help.

Medical and recreational cannabis industries are fair game for OZ investors.

Congressman Alex Mooney represents West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. He was first elected to Congress in 2014 and sits on the influential House Financial Services Committee. Prior, he was also appointed and served on the House Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on the Budget.

Fiona Ma was elected as California’s 34th state treasurer in November of 2018, receiving 7.8 million votes, more than any other candidate for treasurer in state history.

The IRS public hearing about the proposed regulations for the Opportunity Zone program scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 10, has been postponed due to the partial federal government shutdown. In a notice published Monday, the Internal Revenue Service said a new public hearing date will be announced once appropriations for the Treasury Department have been restored. The hearing date, which will be published in the Federal Register, will be at least two weeks after the announcement of the date.

The IRS public hearing date regarding proposed regulatory changes to Opportunity Zone legislation is set for Feb. 14. The original hearing was postponed due to the partial U.S. government shutdown.

Hunter Renaissance Development LLC, a development company, plans to build a $30 million opportunity zone project on nine acres in Redmond, Oregon. The 21 Canal project is a 116-unit workforce housing community.

California State Treasurer Fiona Ma announced Friday at the Opportunity Zone Expo that the Golden State is looking to conform aspects of its tax code with Opportunity Zone legislation in an effort to boost local economies and spur investment.

Hundreds of industry stakeholders attended a five-hour Opportunity Zone hearing in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 14, calling for clarifications and more flexible regulations on the Opportunity Zone tax incentive program.

More than 1,000 professionals from around the United States attended the Opportunity Zone Expo on Friday in downtown Los Angeles to learn and network about Opportunity Zones.

The Opportunity Zone Expo is proud the announce keynote speaker Keith Rothfus, a former congressman from Pennsylvania, where he represented the state’s 12th Congressional District from 2013 to 2019. During his time in Congress, Rothfus was passionate about ensuring that America remains the land of opportunity and freedom that the founders intended it to be. He was appointed to serve as vice chairman of the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit for the 115th Congress. He also served on the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance and the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit Finance. As a member of the Financial Services Committee, Rothfus addressed issues concerning the banking system, housing, insurance and securities markets.

California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, who was inaugurated in Sacramento today, will be a keynote speaker at the Jan. 25 Opportunity Zone Expo, the country’s leading education, networking and marketing event for key players in the industry.

Adam Laxalt is the 33rd attorney general for the state of Nevada. He took the office in January 2015, which, at the time, made him the youngest attorney general in the country. His term ends in 2019.