Erie County gets 2 new Opportunity Zones; Huron, Ottawa and Sandusky get 1 each

Two Erie County census tracts and one each in Huron, Ottawa and Sandusky counties will become federal Opportunity Zones Jan. 1, 2027, Gov. Mike DeWine's office announced Thursday.

The areas are among 260 Ohio tracts approved by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, according to the Nov. 5 announcement. Lorain County has five approved tracts.

The federal program offers tax incentives intended to attract private investment in economically distressed areas. The designations do not announce particular local construction projects, investment amounts or new jobs.

The state says the new zones will remain in effect through 2036. A census tract is a defined geographic area used by the U.S. Census Bureau to collect population, housing and economic data.

The Ohio Department of Development's program page links the approved tract list and says the federal designation process is separate from the Ohio Opportunity Zones Tax Credit Program. Questions about the new designations can go to ohoppzonetc@development.ohio.gov.