Rural Opportunity Zone Second Round Now Open

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Purdue Center for Regional Development have opened a second round of the Rural Opportunity Zone Initiative. OCRA says the initiative provides technical assistance and support to rural areas through Opportunity Zones.

“The goal with this initiative is to equip the leadership in rural opportunity zones with necessary materials to attract capital to their designated areas,” said Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch. “By maximizing their potential, these sites will be positioned to be competitive with opportunity zones from urban areas.”

OCRA completed the first round of the initiative last year, which involved 46 sites in Crawford, Daviess, DeKalb, Knox, Newton and Switzerland counties. 

“Up to six spots are available for communities to apply through a competitive process. Only rural opportunity zones locations are eligible to apply,” said Matt Crouch, interim executive director of OCRA. “Once communities complete this process, their leadership walks away with resources and a complete prospectus to better them attract investment.”

Communities selected will get technical support to help finish a prospectus to attract investment, with additional support including task force guidance, key economic driver assessments, broadband services mapping and many others. Click here for more information.