Opportunity Zones Podcast

A new AI tool built specifically for Opportunity Zones is here — and it may change how investors, fund managers, and advisors navigate the transition from OZ 1.0 to OZ 2.0. In this month’s episode of OZ NewsHour, Jimmy Atkinson and Andy Hagans unveil OzBot, a purpose-built chatbot trained on the actual statute, regulations, and proprietary analysis behind the program — and they put it to the test live. Show notes & summary: ⁠https://opportunityzones.com/2026/02/oznh-feb-2026/

Rural Opportunity Zones could play a much bigger role in the next phase of the program than they did the first time around. In this episode, Coni Rathbone of VF Law joins Jimmy Atkinson to discuss the new rural incentives under OZ 2.0 (including the 30% basis step-up), and how incentive stacking, bonus depreciation, and smart tract advocacy can position developers and investors ahead of the 2027 designation round. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2026/02/coni-rathbone-375/

The census data that will likely inform Opportunity Zones 2.0 eligibility is now out. But how Treasury uses that data is still undecided. In this episode, Jimmy Atkinson is joined by Jason Watkins of Novogradac to discuss why a mechanical, spreadsheet-driven approach to census tract eligibility would be a mistake, how margins of error and unreliable income estimates complicate the analysis, and what a commonsense framework could look like as Treasury prepares to define the OZ 2.0 eligibility universe. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2026/02/jason-watkins-374/

The U.S. Census Bureau has released the 2020–2024 ACS data, which determines which census tracts are eligible for the next round of Opportunity Zone designations. See which tracts qualify for OZ 2.0 designation. Plus, listener questions answered LIVE. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2026/02/ozoh-373/

New U.S. Census Bureau data that will determine OZ 2.0 eligibility is scheduled to be released on Thursday, January 29, 2026. But with a potential government shutdown looming, questions remain about whether Treasury’s official list of eligible census tracts could be delayed. On this month’s episode of OZ NewsHour, Jimmy Atkinson and Andy Hagans break down what the data release means for OZ 2.0. Show notes & summary: ⁠https://opportunityzones.com/2026/01/oznh-jan-2026/

Transformational Opportunity Zone real estate prioritizes durable community outcomes -- such as attainable housing and economic mobility -- while remaining grounded in investor alignment and long-term value creation. Robert Carrillo of LaunchPad Collective joins the show to examine a community-rooted Opportunity Zone development in San Bernardino, California. Here's how patient capital, place-based development, and integrated housing and workforce strategies can move OZ investing beyond transactional deals toward projects designed for lasting impact. More: https://opportunityzones.com/2026/01/robert-carrillo-372/

With OZ 2.0 set to take effect on January 1, 2027, here’s why Opportunity Zone fund sponsors should be using 2026 to prepare — not pause. Angela Hwang of RevGen Consulting joins Jimmy Atkinson of OpportunityZones.com to discuss marketing strategy, investor education, and why 2026 is not a “dead zone,” but a critical year for building visibility, trust, and momentum ahead of the next wave of capital. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2026/01/angela-hwang-371/

Here's why 2026 is a pivotal year for Opportunity Zones, as the program transitions from OZ 1.0 to the new OZ 2.0 framework. Jimmy breaks down which tax benefits still apply through the end of 2026, what changes under OZ 2.0, and why 2026 serves as a bridge year for investors and fund managers. Plus, key 2026 dates, the timing of new Opportunity Zone designations, the return of basis step-ups under OZ 2.0, enhanced rural incentives, and the overlap period when both OZ maps are in effect. Show notes & episode summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2026/01/ozoh-370/

What does a mission-driven Opportunity Zone project actually look like Robert Carrillo of LaunchPad Collective joins the show to discuss his mission-driven OZ project in San Bernardino focused on social impact, affordable housing, and local job creation. Rather than luxury development, the conversation centers on a community-first model with mixed-use design, small business incubator space, and housing residents can afford. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/12/robert-carrillo-369/

New survey data indicates a likely surge in Opportunity Zone investing in 2027. What else is coming down the pike? Plus, the long-awaited 2025 OZ Holiday Gift Guide! On this month's episode of OZ NewsHour, Jimmy Atkinson and Andy Hagans break down the latest news and trends shaping the OZ landscape — including a thorough review of the Annual Opportunity Zones Survey Report for 2025. Show notes & episode summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/12/oznh-dec-2025/

The largest Opportunity Zones conference in years just wrapped — and we’re bringing you the key takeaways straight from Las Vegas. Jimmy Atkinson sits down with Jason Watkins, chair of the Novogradac 2025 Opportunity Zones Summit, to break down the energy, announcements, and insights shaping the OZ industry as OZ 2.0 takes hold. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/12/jason-watkins-368/

The Opportunity Zones industry just witnessed its biggest conference in six years — and the energy was unmistakable. Recorded on-site at the Novogradac 2025 Opportunity Zones Summit in Las Vegas, Jimmy Atkinson and Ashley Tison break down the program’s resurgence, the new data validating OZ impact, and why both OZ 1.0 and OZ 2.0 are driving a surge of investor activity heading into 2026 and beyond. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/12/ashley-tison-367/

On this month’s live episode of OZ Office Hours, OpportunityZones.com founder Jimmy Atkinson answers live questions and shares the latest updates on OZ 2.0, and upcoming events for investors and developers. Join Jimmy the first Monday of every month at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, to get your Opportunity Zones questions answered live. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/12/ozoh-366/

OZ 2.0 is officially on the horizon, and in this special live-recorded panel from OZ Pitch Day, Jimmy Atkinson is joined by Catherine Lyons and Jason Watkins to break down what the next era of Opportunity Zones will look like. Together, they discuss new benefits, rural incentives, and how states and investors are already preparing for the January 2027 launch. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/11/ozpd-panel-365/

A new era of Opportunity Zone development is on the horizon. Plus, OZ Insiders is hosting a private networking dinner in Las Vegas next month, and you're invited! On this month's episode of OZ NewsHour, Jimmy Atkinson and Andy Hagans break down the latest news and trends shaping the OZ landscape — including Andy's top five OZ 2.0 resources. Show notes & summary: ⁠https://opportunityzones.com/2025/11/oznh-nov-2025/

Jimmy Atkinson previews OZ Pitch Day Fall 2025, a LIVE online event for Opportunity Zone investors on November 13, 2025. Learn more and register: https://opportunityzones.com/pitch-day/

Fueled by the momentum of Opportunity Zones 2.0, the OZ industry is surging into the final months of 2025 with record participation, a new rural map, and a wave of upcoming events. Jimmy Atkinson and Andy Hagans break down the latest news and trends shaping the OZ landscape — including a major milestone for OZ Insiders, the updated Opportunity Zone Map featuring new rural designations, and the fast-approaching Novogradac OZ Summit and OZ Pitch Day. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/10/oznh-oct-2025/

The Opportunity Zone industry’s top professionals will gather in Las Vegas on December 3, 2025, for the Novogradac 2025 Opportunity Zones Summit, a one-day event at the Four Seasons dedicated to unpacking the next chapter of Opportunity Zones 2.0. Novogradac partners Jason Watkins and Kevin Wilson join the show to preview the summit, share the latest fundraising and compliance trends, and discuss what Treasury guidance may look like as the industry transitions from OZ 1.0 to OZ 2.0. Show notes: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/10/novogradac-363/

Many Opportunity Zone developments are stalling out... thin spreads, costly capital, and oversized equity requirements mean the math just doesn’t work like it used to. Enter preferred equity. Jordan Brustein & Andrew Rudy of Ackman-Ziff join the show to discuss how Opportunity Zone preferred equity is being used to rescue stalled ground-up development deals, de-lever overextended capital stacks, and unlock projects in today’s challenging market. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/10/ackman-ziff-362/

On this month’s live episode of OZ Office Hours, OpportunityZones.com founder Jimmy Atkinson discusses IRS Notice 2025-50, defining which Opportunity Zones qualify as rural. Effective July 4, 2025, rural OZs qualify for a reduced substantial improvement threshold. Plus, Jimmy answers live questions from the audience. Join Jimmy the first Monday of every month at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, to get your Opportunity Zones questions answered live. Show notes & summary: https://opportunityzones.com/2025/10/ozoh-361/