D.C. officials hope the opportunity zone program will benefit the city’s underserved areas, so the District is launching three new local initiatives to complement the federal program.
Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the initiatives Tuesday at D.C.’s annual March Madness event, where she spoke on a panel alongside an architect of the opportunity zone program, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Brian Kenner. D.C. officials also announced a series of requests for proposals the city plans to release this year for new development sites.
Bowser announced the creation of the OZ Community Corp., a set of lawyers, accountants and other experts who will provide pro bono services to help existing D.C. businesses benefit from the opportunity zone program. The city will also create an online marketplace to connect opportunity zone investors with projects in D.C.
“Whether you have a project that might benefit from opportunity zone funding, or if you have a fund itself and you’re trying to find really great projects in the District of Columbia, this online marketplace will be a place where you can easily see everything that’s happening,” Kenner said.
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