U.S. Treasury approves 25 Opportunity Zones in Montana, including one in Great Falls

The federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 established a new economic development program called Opportunity Zones designed to encourage long-term private investment in low-income communities. The program provides a federal tax incentive for taxpayers who reinvest unrealized capital gains into "Opportunity Funds," which are specialized investment vehicles dedicated to certain low-income areas called "Opportunity Zones."

The areas considered for Opportunity Zones were census tracts with a poverty rate of 20 percent or more. Statewide, there were 106 tracts meeting that criteria but the federal government limited Montana to identifying just 25 for the designation.

by Jenn Rowell

U.S. Treasury approves 25 Opportunity Zones in Montana, including one in Great Falls