U.S. Treasury Approves 102 Mississippi Opportunity Zone Designations

JACKSON, Miss. - The U.S. Department of the Treasury has approved Mississippi's nominations of 102 census tracts for designation as Opportunity Zones under the federal Opportunity Zones 2.0 program. The newly approved zones span 50 counties and are designed to attract private investment, stimulate economic growth and create new opportunities in communities across the state.

Of the 102 approved census tracts, 78 are classified as rural and 24 as non-rural. The designations will take effect Jan. 1, 2027, and remain in place for 10 years.

Established under the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the Opportunity Zones program encourages long-term private investment in designated low-income communities by providing federal tax incentives to investors who reinvest eligible capital gains through Qualified Opportunity Funds. The program was made permanent in 2025 and established a new framework for Opportunity Zone designations every 10 years.

Gov. Tate Reeves nominated the Mississippi census tracts for federal approval following a statewide selection process coordinated by the Mississippi Development Authority. The process included opportunities for public input and consideration of eligible communities across the state.

"Mississippi is competing for investment and winning, and we want communities in every corner of our state to share in that success," said Gov. Reeves. "These 102 Opportunity Zones create new opportunities to attract private capital, strengthen local economies and bring more jobs and investment to areas that have tremendous potential for growth. We're building on Mississippi's economic success and giving even more communities the tools to compete for the investments that will shape their futures."

The Opportunity Zones 2.0 program builds on the original federal initiative with updated eligibility requirements and additional incentives designed to encourage investment in rural communities. The program provides investors with opportunities for federal tax benefits while directing private capital toward eligible businesses, real estate development and other qualifying investments.

"Access to capital is essential to economic development, particularly in communities where traditional investment can be more difficult to attract," said MDA Executive Director PJ Waldrop. "Opportunity Zones provide another tool to help Mississippi communities compete for private investment and move development projects forward. With 78 rural tracts included in these designations, we have an opportunity to connect more of our state's communities with investment that can generate economic activity and create jobs."

The new designations will become effective Jan. 1, 2027, as part of the federal program's first 10-year designation cycle. The original Opportunity Zone designations will remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2028.

For a complete list of Mississippi's newly approved Opportunity Zones and more information about the program, visit https://mississippi.org/community-resources/opportunity-zones/.

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