The purpose of this two day event is to examine how the new federal Opportunity Zone incentive can accelerate regional efforts to build a stronger, more vibrant and resilient Southeast economy, and strengthen equitable growth in communities across Mississippi, the region and the country. 

Opportunity Zones is a new initiative created under the 2017 Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which provides incentives for qualified investors to invest capital gains in distressed communities across the United States. The idea is based on bipartisan legislation originally introduced by Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Corey Booker (D-NJ). According to estimates from the U.S. Treasury Department, up to $6 trillion in sidelined capital could move into 8700 eligible census tracts.

Day 1 of the event will address a known gap inhibiting future Opportunity Zone (OZ) program success: the lack of a robust, investable pipeline of projects that Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds can invest in and achieve desired returns. Training will be offered to help Southeastern communities be OZ-ready and promote cross-sectoral collaboration leveraging Opportunity Zones to drive local economic development.

Day 2 of the event will feature elected officials, economic developers, community leaders, private investors, and U.S. administration officials to discuss the power and promise of the new federal Opportunity Zone incentive.