Even though designated Oppportunity Zones throughout the nation are viewed as vehicles for investment in local communities and a market-driven source of renewed opportunity for workers and residents of low-wealth communities, state and local officials see challenges in implementing programs that will have the hoped-for positive results in Minnesota. But that has not deterred forward progress with the program.
Federally-sponsored bipartisan efforts created the Opportunity Zone funding in 2017 as part of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017. Congress subsequently approved a list of 128 Minnesota census tracts eligible to receive the funding. Minnesota's Department of Employment and Economic Opportunity (DEED) is tasked with administration of the
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