Toby Rittner

Opportunity Zones 2.0 and Next Generation Public-Private Partnerships | Finance Forum 2025

Rachel Reilly, Simone Joy Friedman, Michael Novogradac, Toby Rittner, Ja'ron Smith, Simone Friedman, Mike Novogratik

Facing an impending 2025 expiration, policymakers and community leaders are rallying to reform Opportunity Zones through a "2.0" framework that prioritizes permanent status, mandatory impact reporting, and a shift from real estate speculation to operating businesses. Success stories in locations like Harrisonville, South Carolina, demonstrate that layering federal tax incentives with state conformity, workforce training, and technical assistance can generate substantial local employment and economic stability. As the program's future takes shape, experts advocate for an integrated toolbox approach that combines Opportunity Zone equity with tools like New Markets Tax Credits and CDFI lending to maximize capital deployment in underserved communities.