President Donald J. Trump’s Opportunity Zones program is a new, America-First initiative that’s delivering real results for middle- and low-income communities across the nation. Launched as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, this program is a cornerstone of Trump’s vision to empower hardworking Americans, revitalize forgotten neighborhoods, and unleash economic prosperity where it’s needed most. Unlike the tired, bureaucratic solutions of the past, Opportunity Zones harnesses the power of private investment to drive growth, create jobs, and build a brighter future for millions.

The program, championed by former HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson, designated 8,764 Opportunity Zones across the United States, covering nearly 35 million Americans, with the goal of fostering job creation, business investment and community revitalization. These zones, often in distressed urban and rural areas, were handpicked to receive tax incentives that encourage investors to pour capital into communities long ignored by Washington elites. By the end of 2019, the White House and the Council of Economic Advisers reported that Opportunity Zones attracted roughly $75 billion in funds, driving $52 billion in new investments into distressed communities. According to the White House, the program created at least 500,000 new jobs and was on track to lift one million people out of poverty.

Trump’s first term showcased the program’s potential to transform lives. Even the New York Times, no friend of the America-First agenda, had to admit the program’s successes. In Birmingham, Alabama, an old movie theater in the predominantly black Woodlawn neighborhood was renovated for community use, breathing new life into a struggling area. This is the kind of tangible progress that Trump’s policies deliver—real change for real people, not just empty promises from career politicians.

Fast forward to 2025, and Trump’s commitment to America’s heartland is stronger than ever. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, signed into law on July 4, has supercharged the Opportunity Zones program, now dubbed “OZ 2.0.” This isn’t just a rehash of old ideas—it’s a permanent fixture in the tax code, ensuring long-term investment in the communities that need it most. Trump’s revival and expansion of his Opportunity Zones program launched in his first term — labeled “OZ 2.0” under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 — seeks to reshape urban and rural communities through tax incentives. The program is now a permanent fixture in the tax code, and will no longer sunset on December 31, 2026.

HUD Secretary Scott Turner, a key player in Trump’s economic agenda, is hitting the ground running. On Tuesday, Turner announced that he will be traveling to places like Ohio to explore how President Donald Trump’s 2017 Opportunity Zone (OZ) program can expand affordable housing and work for lower-income, distressed communities. His mission is clear: bring opportunity to the forgotten corners of America, from urban centers to rural towns.

Turner’s enthusiasm is backed by hard numbers. “$90 billion of private money was invested in opportunity zones — urban, tribal, and rural. And now that they’ve been made permanent, we’re looking for millions more to be lifted out of poverty, a hundred billion dollars to be invested, hundreds of thousands of jobs to be created, hundreds of thousands of units of housing to come online,” he said during the cabinet meeting.

A Game-Changer for America’s Working Class

The genius of Opportunity Zones lies in its simplicity to incentivize private investment in distressed areas through tax breaks, and let the free market work its magic. Investors who reinvest capital gains into designated low-income census tracts get a deferral on capital gains taxes, a basis step-up to reduce tax liability, and tax-free growth on investments held for 10 years or more. It’s a win-win—investors see returns, and communities see new businesses, housing, and jobs.

OZ 2.0 takes this vision to the next level. Beginning January 1, 2027, state governors will redesignate OZs every decade, with more stringent criteria cutting eligible census tracts by roughly 19.5–22% to focus on truly distressed areas. This ensures that the program stays laser-focused on the neediest communities, not areas already on the upswing. For investments post-December 31, 2026, the law offers a flexible five-year deferral on capital gains and a fixed 10% basis increase after five years, while preserving tax exemptions for gains held 10 years.

Rural America, often left behind by coastal elites, gets a major boost under OZ 2.0. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 also introduces Qualified Rural Opportunity Funds (QROFs) with a 30% basis boost and a lower 50% improvement threshold for rural zones. QROFs will serve as a special type of investment fund designed to encourage development in rural Opportunity Zones. Specifically, if one invests in a QROF and holds it for five years, they would get a 30% increase in the value of the investment for tax purposes (compared to only 10% for non-rural funds). This makes it easier and more attractive for investors to contribute capital in these rural areas by offering better tax breaks than regular Opportunity Zone funds.

Additionally, if improving a property in a rural OZ, the investor would only need to spend half as much money on upgrades as they would in a non-rural area to qualify for the tax benefits. This part of the law aims to boost businesses, housing, or other projects in rural communities that need economic help. From small towns in Ohio to tribal lands, these incentives will spark new opportunities for families and businesses alike.

Trump’s vision has always been about putting the forgotten men and women of America first. The House Ways and Means Committee praised the program as “a lifeline for some of America’s poorest and most rural communities that would see billions in new investment.” Chairman Jason Smith, R., Mo., hit the nail on the head in February: “Last year, the Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on the effectiveness of Opportunity Zones in Erie, Pennsylvania. We heard stories from folks in the community about how Opportunity Zones revitalized downtown Erie and neighborhoods with new businesses, new homes, and new jobs after decades of decline and neglect.”

Smith didn’t hold back, adding, “Without a doubt, the Trump tax cuts put the needs of working-class families and forgotten men and women first. We also heard about how the OZ program could be improved. Small towns and rural America are great places to build new businesses but have too often been overlooked by Washington.” This is the kind of leadership that resonates with real Americans—policies that prioritize Main Street over Wall Street.

Senator Tim Scott, a driving force behind the program, deserves a standing ovation. Referencing one of the originators of the program, Senator Tim Scott, R., S.C., Trump said, “Tim really came up with opportunity zones and we did a good job of working with them, and together we created something that nobody speaks of very much, but it’s probably the most successful thing that’s ever been done of its kind. It’s been amazing. So Tim Scott deserves a lot of credit for that.” Scott, alongside Democrat Cory Booker, first proposed the program in 2017, proving that good ideas can cut through partisan noise when they’re focused on helping people.

Critics, often from the left, have tried to smear Opportunity Zones, claiming they fuel gentrification. But these naysayers miss the point: economic growth lifts everyone, not just the wealthy. The program’s safeguards, like stricter criteria for zone designations and new reporting requirements, ensure that investments target the neediest areas. Trump’s team is committed to balancing development with community needs, ensuring that growth doesn’t displace the very people it’s meant to help.

OZ 2.0 is a testament to Trump’s unwavering commitment to America’s working class. By making Opportunity Zones permanent, expanding rural incentives, and focusing on distressed communities, the Trump administration is proving that the American Dream is alive and well. From new jobs in Erie to renovated theaters in Birmingham, this program is delivering hope and opportunity to millions. As Trump continues to fight for the forgotten, Opportunity Zones stand as a shining example of what’s possible when we put America first.

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