Governor Announces Federal Approval of 25 Opportunity Zone 2.0 Designations

CONCORD, NH - Governor Kelly Ayotte announced today that the U.S. Department of the Treasury has approved 25 U.S. Census tracts in New Hampshire as federally designated Opportunity Zone 2.0 (OZ 2.0) locations. Selected from 53 eligible tracts statewide, the newly designated areas span all 10 New Hampshire counties, with 17 of the 25 tracts located in designated rural communities.

"Opportunity Zones are an important tool to attract new investment, create good-paying jobs, and bring more housing to New Hampshire," said Governor Ayotte. "These 25 designated areas represent tremendous opportunities to strengthen our economy and support growth in rural communities across our state. I want to thank our local and regional partners for their hard work throughout this process, and I look forward to working together to build on what makes New Hampshire such a great place to live, work, and raise a family."

Originally established under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the federal Opportunity Zone program encourages private investors, developers, and financial institutions to reinvest eligible capital gains into underserved and rural communities. Federal legislation enacted in July 2025 permanently authorized the initiative as Opportunity Zone 2.0, refining program guidelines while expanding targeted incentives. Under the updated framework, qualifying investments through rural Opportunity Zone funds receive an enhanced incentive-including a 30 percent basis step-up after five years-designed to unlock private capital for transformational projects such as workforce housing, commercial and industrial expansion, and community infrastructure.

"The quality of the proposals submitted by our municipal and regional partners showed just how prepared New Hampshire communities are to put private investment to work," said BEA Commissioner Lucy Lange. "They provided a clear, strategic roadmap for local growth. From shovel-ready commercial sites to critical housing solutions, these designations will help our communities leverage state, federal, and private resources to build lasting economic vitality."
Following federal approval, the Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) will launch a second series of community briefings and implementation workshops. BEA will partner with federal agencies to connect municipal leaders, local economic development officials, and prospective investors with technical guidance on project financing and capital deployment under the new rules.

The OZ 2.0 designations take effect January 1, 2027, and remain active through December 31, 2036. Existing OZ 1.0 designations remain in effect through December 31, 2028.

To view designated tract maps, program guidelines, and the schedule for upcoming regional informational sessions, visit: www.choosenh.com/choosenh/work/business-resources/opportunity-zones