RALEIGH – North Carolina has identified 202 census tracts for its next round of Opportunity Zone nominations, a federal tax-incentive program intended to attract private investment to economically distressed communities.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce said the state identified its list for submission to the U.S. Treasury Department. OpportunityZones.com reported that the nominations were submitted Sept. 8, while the complete tract list remains pending public release and federal certification.
North Carolina was allowed to nominate 202 of 807 eligible low-income census tracts, 20 fewer than under the current program. Commerce said 93 counties contained at least one eligible tract. Camden, Currituck, Davie, Gates, Perquimans, Clay and Yancey counties had none under the federal eligibility criteria.
The state’s selection guidelines emphasized business development and job creation in high-growth, high-wage sectors; strategic local revitalization; and housing supply near jobs, transit or infrastructure.
The federal Opportunity Zone program was created in 2017 and made permanent in 2025. The newly certified zones are scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2027, for 10 years. Existing zones remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2028, creating a two-year transition period.
Gov. Josh Stein designated Commerce to lead the nomination process. The department said it will publish the selected tracts after Treasury completes certification later in 2026.