Jade Lozada reports for NOTUS that rural counties have seen far less Opportunity Zone capital than urban tracts, even as governors nominate the 2027 map. A June Treasury Office of Tax Analysis paper says the average rural zone attracted $7.3 million from 2018 to 2024 versus $23.3 million for the average nonrural zone; 16% of Opportunity Zone property was in rural areas even though rural tracts make up 38% of the 8,764 existing zones, with $112 billion invested using the incentive. Montgomery County, Illinois coordinator Mike Plunkett said he has had one inquiry; a rural Illinois treasurer told NOTUS they were unaware their county was in a zone. Forrest County, Mississippi planning director Corey Proctor said developers lack the information to use the incentive. OZ 2.0 investments on or after January 1, 2027 into a qualified rural Opportunity Fund can receive a 30% basis step-up after five years, versus 10% for a standard QOF. OBBBA also adds fund reporting on residential units and full-time workers plus $15 million for Treasury outcome reports. Governors still face the federal nomination window closing September 28, 2026 (one 30-day extension to October 28, 2026 under IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-14). This is rural 1.0 performance and the 2.0 rural bonus — not a state nomination slate.
Original reporting by Daniel Cho for Opportunity Zone Invest, an independent OZ 2.0 research site. Facts are drawn from the primary sources cited above per our editorial standards. Nothing here is tax, legal, or investment advice.
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