New Jersey DCA and EDA Invite Public Input on Opportunity Zone Nominations

• Posted on: 07/31/2026

Residents, local governments, community organizations, developers, businesses, and other stakeholders invited to provide input on eligible census tracts for federal Opportunity Zone designation

TRENTON, NJ –  The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority today announced the opening of a public engagement period to gather input on eligible census tracts that may be considered for nomination under the federal Opportunity Zone program. Governor Sherrill tasked the agencies with soliciting broad public engagement around which of the qualifying low-income census tracts offer the greatest potential to attract investment that furthers state and local economic development priorities.  

“New Jersey is strongest when every community has the opportunity to grow and succeed,” said Governor Mikie Sherrill. “The federal Opportunity Zone program offers an important incentive for housing and economic development across New Jersey. As we evaluate eligible Opportunity Zones, we’re taking the time to hear directly from people who know these neighborhoods best. I encourage elected officials, local governments, community organizations, labor, chambers of commerce, developers, investors, and other members of the public to participate, so we can design the best program for our state.”  

The Opportunity Zone program is a federal tax incentive for qualified investors who wish to reinvest capital gains into long-term investments in real estate and operating businesses that are situated in qualifying, designated low-income census tracts. Qualified investors receive tax incentives in the form of deferral or elimination of capital gains tax burdens.  

Based on federal law, New Jersey has 516 eligible census tracts, and the Governor may nominate up to 25 percent of those tracts for designation. There are eligible tracts in 20 of New Jersey’s 21 counties.  

New Jersey will select Opportunity Zones based on a combination of stakeholder input and technical analysis. Selections will prioritize census tracts that offer the greatest potential to further economic and housing development, advance local priorities, and align with available evidence on the most effective uses of Opportunity Zone incentives. Selections will also ensure that Zones are distributed throughout the state.  

 Today, the State is announcing the stakeholder engagement process. In order to ensure that these designations effectively attract investment and meet community needs, the State is seeking engagement from a broad range of stakeholders, including residents, municipalities, counties, community-based organizations, housing providers, nonprofit and philanthropic partners, economic development organizations, labor, employers, developers, financial institutions, planning professionals, anchor institutions, and advocacy organizations.  

"Opportunity Zones are about unlocking New Jersey’s full economic potential. By using this tool to direct investment where it can have the greatest impact, we’re creating jobs, strengthening communities, and building a more competitive and inclusive economy,” said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “True revitalization that endures over the long-term needs buy-in from all stakeholders, which is why we’re seeking public feedback on areas to designate as Opportunity Zones. Only with community collaboration can we maximize this program and turn opportunity into lasting results for the people of New Jersey."

Members of the public may offer input by August 28, 2026, by completing the Opportunity Zone 2.0 Public Input Form. This public feedback will provide vital local insight as to the development potential and community involvement in each potential tract. The stakeholder input process will ask members of the public to identify particular tracts for designation, describe the development potential and pipeline in those tracts, provide letters of support, and evaluate how designation of the particular tract aligns with the following priorities: 

1. Economic Opportunity and Investment Potential — Areas where there is demonstrated interest in leveraging opportunity zones for economic development, developable land, proximity to strategic assets, such as employment centers, transit, incentive zones, and energy infrastructure. 
2. Housing Development — Areas that have the capacity to support housing development, are near transit and employment opportunities, and prioritize housing development across the affordability spectrum. 
3. Economic Need and Community Engagement — Areas with economic need demonstrated by indicators of economic distress and evidence of community engagement in economic revitalization. 

“Economic development works best when local stakeholders are engaged and can help shape their community's future,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Evan Weiss. “Opportunity Zones are a critical tool to help drive new investments, spur growth, and revitalize communities. This public input period will allow the Sherrill administration to ensure underrepresented communities that have a strong plan to advance economic and housing development receive this federal designation so they can build sustainable long-term growth, while strengthening neighborhoods and families.”

To learn more about the Opportunity Zone program, see eligible census tracts, or nominate a tract for consideration please visit hhttps://www.nj.gov/dca/dlps/home/opp_zones.shtml. This website will serve as the primary resource for identifying tract eligibility as well as which census tracts contain overlapping federal or state incentives and are proximate to transit and community assets of interest.  

The State will review all submissions as part of its evaluation process before transmitting final nominations to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Eligible tract maps, engagement instructions, frequently asked questions, and additional information are available through New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. 

DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including local government management and finance, affordable housing production, eviction and homelessness prevention, building and fire safety, community planning and development, historic preservation, disaster recovery and mitigation, and information privacy.

For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/ or follow the Department on social media: