City of Dallas Requesting Input on Opportunity Zones 2.0

The City of Dallas Economic Development department is working on the Opportunity Zone 2.0 working map and is requesting public feedback on eligible Census tracts.

The department issued a bulletin with the request for input on Tuesday morning. According to the bulletin, Opportunity Zones are federally designated low-income Census tracts where qualifying private investments can receive federal tax benefits.

Last year, the United States Congress reauthorized the program and directed states to designate new eligible Census tracts. Dallas has 175 Census tracts eligible for consideration under the update criteria.

As the city prepares its recommendation, it is seeking detailed input on projects located within these eligible areas. The Office of the Texas Governor will score each nominated Census tract on a 10-point scale, with up to four points awarded for each of the following:

• Alignment with city priorities, plans, and incentive programs; and
• Project viability, shovel-readiness, and ability to advance within the next 2-4 years

Feedback will help the city evaluate potential opportunity zone designations and understand where active, feasible, or planned projects are located. The feedback form will collect information on shovel-ready or near-term projects that may benefit from or contribute to the program's goals.

Public comments will be accepted through April 24. City staff will compile all responses and present a summary, along with an updated working map, at the May Economic Development Committee meeting. The feedback form and working map are both available here.